



sewamaw 



ROBERT FULTON 
AND THE "CLERMONT" 




ROBERT FULTON 

From the original miniature owned by C. Franklin Crary, grandson 
of Robert Fulton. Never before reproduced 



ROBERT FULTON 
AND THE "CLERMONT" 



the authoritative story of 

Robert fulton's early experiments, persistent 

efforts, and historic achievements. 

containing many of fulton's 

hitherto unpublished 

letters, drawings, 

and pictures 



BY 

ALICE CRARY SUTCLIFFE 

GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER OF THE INVENTOR 




Is- 



NEW YORK 

THE CENTURY CO. 

1909 



^<\ 



fe« 



Copyright, 1908, 1909, by 
The Century Co. 

Published September, 1909 



THE DE VINNE PRESS 



C- A 247 406 

SEP f5 1909 



THIS VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED 
TO MY FATHER 

THE REVEREND ROBERT FULTON CRARY, D.D. 

(ELDEST GRANDSON OF ROBERT FULTON ) 

FOR FORTY YEARS RECTOR OF THE CHURCH OF THE 

HOLY COMFORTER, POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK, 

WHOSE SERVICES THROUGHOUT LIFE, 

NO LESS DEVOTED THAN THOSE OF 

HIS ILLUSTRIOUS ANCESTOR, HAVE 

BEEN IN THE GREAT NAVY 

OF THE CHURCH OF GOD 



CONTENTS 



PART PAGE 

i Early Life 1 



ii Robert Fulton in France . . . . 59 
in The Trial Boat on the Seine . . .107 

iv The " Clermont 1 ' 177 

Appendix 301 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



PAGE 

Robert Fulton Frontispiece 

Farm-house at Little Britain, Pennsylvania, the Birth- 
place of Robert Fulton 5 

Robert Fulton, Sr., and Mary Smith Fulton, the Pa- 
rents of Robert Fulton 16 ' 

Miniatures Painted by Robert Fulton 27 

Charles, Third Earl of Stanhope 43 

Robert Fulton— Painted by Himself 54 

Plan in Water-color for a High-level Canal .... 69 

Facsimile of a Part of the First Page of Fulton's Let- 
ter to the Citizens Monge, La Place, and Volney 85 

Three Views of the Bust of Robert Fulton by Houdon 103 

Robert Fulton 114 

Fulton's First Plan for Steam Navigation .... 131 

Fulton's First Prophecy of Steam Navigation on the 

Hudson 141 

An American Lithograph Entitled, "Fulton and 

Napoleon in 1804 " 161 

Joel Barlow 170 

Chancellor Robert R. Livingston 183 

ix 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 

"Plate the First": Fulton's Design of Original Ap- 
paratus for Determining the Resistance of Paddles 
for the Propulsion of the Clermont, Dated 1806 . 193 

"Plate 4." Fulton's Preliminary Study for the Cler- 
mont'' s Engine . 200 

Fulton's Inkstand 205 

Compass Used by Pilot Acker on the Clermont . . 205 

Mrs. Walter Livingston (Cornelia Schuyler), Mother 

of Mrs. Robert Fulton 215 

Robert Fulton 229 

Statue of Robert Fulton at the Fulton Ferry-house, 

Brooklyn, New York 244 

Fulton Medal. Struck after the Inventor's Death in 

1815 261 

Facsimile of Regulations facing page 268 

A Modern Steamboat on the Hudson River and the 

Clermont 291 

Fulton's Drawing for a Steamboat ^submitted .to the 

Commission appointed by Napoleon in 1803 . . 336 

A. Fulton's Plan of the Machinery of the North River 
(the Remodeled Clermont) 346 

B. Fulton's Elevation of Plan A 347 

C. Fulton's Plan of a Later Steamboat, showing Ap- 
plication of the Square Side-connecting-rod En- 
gine, the Invention of which he ascribes to John 
Stevens 348 

D. Fulton's Elevation of Plan C 349 

X 



PREFACE 

An explanation seems necessary for doing 
again a deed already well done. Several 
biographies of Robert Fulton have been 
written: Cadwallader D. Colden, James 
Ren wick, J. F. Reigart, Robert H. Thurs- 
ton, Thomas W. Knox, and Peyton F.Mil- 
ler have successively interpreted the life of 
the inventor, and to them I would acknow- 
ledge a debt of interest and illumination. 
But in no volume can be found so full a 
quota of Robert Fulton's own descriptive 
plans for his inventions as are here pre- 
sented. During a research extending over 
three years I have been able to transcribe 
many of Fulton's unique and original 
xi 



PREFACE 

records, and to secure reproductions of 
interesting portraits of or by him. 

For access to these manuscripts and pic- 
tures, or for copies of them, I am indebted 
to the estate of Fulton's daughter, Cornelia 
Livingston Crary ; to Mrs. Robert Fulton 
Blight; to Mr. R. Fulton Ludlow; to 
Judge Peter T. Barlow; to John Henry 
Livingston, Esq., of Clermont; to Earl 
Stanhope of England; to Mr. H. Harri- 
son Suplee, Editor of "Cassier's Maga- 
zine"; to Mr. S. W. Stanton, Editor of 
"The Nautical Gazette"; to J. Eliot 
Hodgkin, F.S.A., of London, England ; to 
Mr. Frank E. Kirby, Naval Architect; 
to Mr. E. C. Eldridge of Paris, France; 
to Mr. C. H. Hart, Mrs. C. S. Bradford, 
Miss Elizabeth G. Sparks, Mrs. Joseph 
Drexel, and Mrs. McHenry, of Philadel- 
xii 



PREFACE 

phia; to Mr. H. A. Boardman of St. Paul, 
Minnesota ; to Dr. Thomas Addis Emmet 
of New York; to Mr. Charles Burr Todd, 
biographer of Joel Barlow ; to Mr. Joseph 
Swift of Little Britain, Pennsylvania; to 
the Misses Vinton of Pomfret, Connecti- 
cut; to Mr. R. Livingston Jenkins, Mr. 
J. Seymour Bullock, Mr. Edward Bring- 
hurst, Rev. Wm. B. Gilpin, Mr. W. U. 
Hensel, Mr. Henry B. Bayer, Mrs. E. 
Harrison Sanford; J. H. Leamont, Esq., 
of Montreal ; Mr. Herman Livingston of 
Catskill; and to the authorities of the 
Lenox Library, the Library of Congress, 
the Boston Public Library, the Historical 
Societies of New York, Pennsylvania, New 
Jersey, and Chicago; the National Acad- 
emy of Design; the Pennsylvania Acad- 
emy of Fine Arts; the British Museum; 
xiii 



PREFACE 

the Society of Mechanical Engineers, 
New York; Haverford College and Co- 
lumbia University. 

Robert Fulton anticipated the enlight- 
enment of this century. He emphasized 
truths which prevail to-day and are termed 
modern: a hope for Universal Peace; a 
claim for Intellectual Freedom through a 
system of general, free education; a dis- 
cernment that a Nation's wealth is the sum 
of the talents and handiworks of its citi- 
zens ; and a sacrifice of any personal claim 
to leisure that through labor a world might 
be served;— these were the ruling motives 
of his life. 

He was an artist with unbounded de- 
light in the glories of color and form; he 
was an engineer and inventor, with pa- 
tience developing a knowledge of un- 



xiv 



PREFACE 

known powers awaiting human control; 
he was, through all, an American states- 
man who, although he lived for years 
amidst the cultivation and advanced intel- 
lectual attainment of France and Eng- 
land, was glad to return to his native land 
to demonstrate the truth of his final dis- 
covery in science and to launch his first 
steamboat upon* the waters of the New 
World. 

If it be true that Fulton lived one hun- 
dred years before his time, the centennial 
of his achievement fulfils the span neces- 
sary for human recognition ; and America 
will welcome the recital of the purposes of 
his life in these original papers which por- 
tray, not solely his inventions, but his 
spirit of true liberty. 

Alice Chary Sutcliffe. 
xv 






PART I 
EARLY LIFE 



ROBERT FULTON AND 
THE "CLERMONT" 



ROBERT FULTON was born at 
* Little Britain, Lancaster County, 
Pennsylvania, November 14, 1765. Pre- 
vious biographers have called him "a self- 
made man," and have made brief allusion 
to his parentage. It is noteworthy that 
his father, the senior Robert Fulton, in a 
failure to leave financial patrimony to his 
children, has not been accorded the men- 
tion of other achievements, not slight in 
those primitive days. His ancestors 
were of Saxon origin, having crossed 
from Scotland to Ireland at an early date. 
From Kilkenny, the Fulton family came 
3 



ROBERT FULTON 

to America before the year 1735. The 
senior Robert Fulton was among the 
prominent men of Lancaster, his name 
having been on record upon all the town 
organizations which existed at that period. 1 
He married Miss Mary Smith, a sister of 
Colonel Robert Smith of Chester County. 
They were the children of Joseph Smith of 
Oxford township, Pennsylvania, whose 
will, dated May 22, 1760, bequeathed "To 
my beloved Daughter, Mary, wife of Rob- 
ert Fulton, the sum of Five Pounds, to be 
levied off my Estate." 

On August 23, 1759, the elder Robert 
Fulton bought the brick dwelling-house 
on the northeast corner of Penn Square, 
afterward known as Center Square, in 
the town of Lancaster. Two children, 

1 He was a founder of the Presbyterian church, the Sec- 
retary of the Union Fire Company, and a charter member 
of the Juliana Library of Lancaster, the third library estab- 
lished in the American Colonies. (1763). 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

daughters, were born in this house, and 
Mr. and Mrs. Fulton lived there until 
1765. On November 8, 1764, he pur- 
chased a farm of 393% acres, situated on 
the Conowingo Creek, in Little Britain 
township, and during the following spring 
moved his family to the farm-house which 
is still standing at the country cross-roads. 
There Robert Fulton the inventor was 
born. 

In 1844 the township of Little Britain 
was resurveyed, and a new section was set 
aside, to be known as "Fulton Town- 
ship," in honor of the child who lived 
for the first few months of his eventful 
life within its quiet borders. The farm- 
house which sheltered his infancy was built 
of plastered stone, two stories high, and at 
one end the roof sloped to a low porch. 

Robert Fulton's father was not a 
successful farmer; perchance he yearned 
7 



ROBERT FULTON 

for the companionship of his Lancaster 
friends. One thing is certain : during the 
following year he and his wife mortgaged 
the property, and moved back to the town 
of Lancaster. 

Not long ago the present owner rebuilt 
the house and the old section of the 
homestead was encompassed by the new. 
The two parlors, low-ceiled and broad, re- 
main ; and in one of these rooms, formerly 
the kitchen, the original fireplace is intact, 
the crane still swinging within the sooted 
inclosure where Robert Fulton's father 
laid the logs so many years ago. Above 
the parlor is the room where the inventor 
was born. Only the broad window-sills 
show age; the remainder of the house is 
placidly and emphatically modern. 

Joseph Swift, a cousin of Robert Ful- 
ton, in writing years ago from Philadel- 
phia, said that his grandfather well 
8 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

remembered in his youth "the great prep- 
arations which a visit to Aunt Fulton 
required in the way of baking, boiling, and 
roasting, and in getting ready the camp 
equipage which the journey through the 
wilderness required. It was only less 
formidable than a journey across the At- 
lantic." 

FRIENDSHIP WITH THE FAMILY OF WEST 

The father of the celebrated artist Ben- 
jamin West lived in the adjoining county 
of Chester, and was an intimate friend 
of the senior Robert Fulton. The. inter- 
esting portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Ful- 
ton, here for the first time reproduced, 
have unique value, in that they are 
among the earliest known works of the 
young artist, who later attained distinc- 
tion as President of the Royal Academy 
9 



ROBERT FULTON 

of London. At the age of twelve years, 
West had gained local fame as an artist, 
and was invited to visit Lancaster to paint 
the portraits of Mrs. Ross and her chil- 
dren, famous beauties of the day. The 
father's permission was obtained, and 
West came to Lancaster, and executed 
his task with such a degree of success that 
he could with difficulty find time to fill the 
orders which poured in upon him. It is 
recorded that he received his first payment 
in exchange for drawings made on poplar 
boards, and that he for some time continued 
to paint portraits in Lancaster. The Ful- 
ton portraits were found many years ago 
in the attic of an old house in Lancaster 
County, and were thought by the owner to 
be representations of the inventor and his 
wife. This is manifestly impossible, not 
only from their lack of resemblance to other 
authenticated portraits, but also because 
10 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

of the discrepancy in the date of the signa- 
ture, which is "B. West 175- " the last 
figure being indistinct. It is therefore con- 
cluded that they are the only known rep- 
resentations of the father and mother of 
the inventor. The daily sight of these 
portraits in his home, and the knowledge 
of the success of his energetic young 
neighbor Benjamin West, may have 
proved the inspiration of Robert Fulton's 
subsequent study and love of art. 

In 1756, Benjamin West's mother died, 
and he went to reside in Philadelphia, al- 
though it is probable that he frequently 
returned for visits in Lancaster. It is 
known that he painted signs for local 
taverns, and some of these have been pre- 
served by collectors. In Philadelphia he 
gained reputation as an artist, and an in- 
creased patronage. For his portraits, at 
this time, he received two and a half 
11 



ROBERT FULTON 

guineas for a head, and five guineas for a 
half-length. Desirous to increase his 
prices, he went to New York for a period 
of eleven months, where he executed many 
portraits. 

The elder Robert Fulton was an ardent 
Presbyterian. A letter from Edward 
Burd of Philadelphia to William Rawle, 
published in the "Pennsylvanian Maga- 
zine," concludes with these words: "Hav- 
ing lived in Lancaster till I was eleven 
years of age, I recollect that the father of 
the famous Robert Fulton, who had a 
sonorous and stentorian voice, used to raise 
the Psalm in the Court House, where 
Presbyterians occasionally preached." He 
was one of the founders of the First Pres- 
byterian Church in Lancaster. His death 
occurred in 1768. 

In Delaplaine's "Repository," which 
may be seen at the Lenox Library, New 
12 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

York, the writer on "Robert Fulton" 
states : 

Although highly respectable, the elder Fulton 
was far from opulent, and the small fortune 
he left at his death was to be divided between 
his widow and five children. The patrimony 
of Robert was, therefore, but slender. To this 
circumstance, however, he never looked back 
with the false shame of common minds, but 
rather rejoiced on being considered, as he really 
was, the founder of his fortune. 



ANECDOTES OF EARLY LIFE 

There are several anecdotes which relate 
to Robert Fulton's early interest in me- 
chanics—the first steps of progress toward 
his later skill. In 1773, when he was eight 
years old, his mother, having previously 
taught him to read and write, sent him to 
a school kept by Mr. Caleb Johnson, a 
Quaker gentleman of pronounced Tory 
13 



ROBERT FULTON 

principles— so pronounced, in fact, that 
he narrowly escaped with his life during 
the Revolution. But Robert Fulton did 
not care for books, and he began at a very 
early age to search for problems never 
mastered and bound in print. This greatly 
distressed the Quaker teacher, who spared 
not the rod ; and it is said that in adminis- 
tering such discipline on the hand of Rob- 
ert Fulton, one day he testily exclaimed: 
"There, that will make you do some- 
thing!" To which Robert, with folded 
arms, replied: "Sir, I came to have some- 
thing beaten into my brains, and not into 
my knuckles." Without doubt he was a 
trial to his teacher. 

He entered school one day very late, 
and when the master inquired the reason, 
Robert, with frank interest, replied that 
he had been at Nicholas Miller's shop 
pounding out lead for a pencil. "It 
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AND THE "CLERMONT" 

is the very best I ever had, sir," he 
affirmed, as he displayed his product. 
The master, after an examination of the 
pencil, pronounced it excellent. When 
Robert's mother, who had been distressed 
by his lack of application to his studies, 
expressed to the teacher her pleasure at 
signs of improvement, the latter confided 
to her that Robert had said to him: "My 
head is so full of original notions that there 
is no vacant chamber to store away the 
contents of dusty books." 

These incidents to the contrary, it is 
nevertheless true that Robert Fulton did 
absorb a good knowledge of the rudiments 
of education. 

In 1777, Congress held session in the 
old court house at Lancaster, and during 
this time the town became famous as a 
depot of supplies for the American forces. 
Rifles, blankets, and clothing were manu- 
17 



ROBERT FULTON 

factured there, powder for the troops 
was stored in the town, and in that year 
a certain Paul Zantzinger furnished Gen- 
eral Wayne's men with 650 suits of uni- 
form. 



andre's parole 



During the autumn of 1775, Major John 
Andre, while on his way to Quebec, was 
captured by General Montgomery, and 
with other officers, taken to Lancaster. 
He was granted local freedom on the fol- 
lowing parole : 

I, John Andre, being a prisoner in the United 
Colonies of America, do, upon the honor of a 
gentleman, promise that I will not go into or 
near any seaport town, nor farther than six 
miles from Lancaster, without leave of the Con- 
tinental Congress or the Committee of Safety 
of Pennsylvania, and that I will carry on no 
political correspondence whatever on the sub- 

18 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

ject of the dispute between Great Britain and 
the Colonies so long as I remain a prisoner. 



Upon these conditions, Major Andre 
became an inmate in the house of Caleb 
Cope, and was tutor to John Cope, then 
thirteen years of age. Major Andre had a 
talent for art, and made a dainty sketch of 
a scene in England, probably near his 
early home. The drawing was in tints of 
green; a church spire in the background, 
and in the front, the heavy foliage of trees 
embowered a lodge. He gave this picture 
to Mr. Cope, who treasured it and wrote 
of it in these words: "In memory of the 
artist and of my affection for that gifted 
and deceived, that noble-hearted and gen- 
erous man." Mr. Cope had five sons, of 
whom John was the eldest. Andre gave 
lessons in art to his young pupil, and also 
to Benjamin T. Barton, who became a 
19 



ROBERT FULTON 

clever draftsman. The prisoner also 
played marbles and other boyish sports 
with his young friends. Robert Fulton 
was then eleven years old and eager for 
every form of activity. It is quite possible 
that when the Cope boys received their les- 
sons in art, Robert may also have been in- 
cluded in the class and thus profited from 
the excellent tutor. 

At a very early age, a love of art be- 
came to Robert a profound delight. One 
of his classmates in the Lancaster school- 
house told, in after years, an interesting 
story of those days. He had an older 
brother, he said, who was fond of paint- 
ing, and had learned the art of mixing 
and preparing colors, which he displayed 
upon mussel shells. The War of the 
Revolution at that time made it difficult 
to obtain painting materials from abroad, 
and few people had money or thought for 
20 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

such quiet pastimes. This painting outfit 
fell into the possession of the younger 
brother, who carried it to school and 
showed it to Robert Fulton. Immediately 
the latter pleaded for a share, and his pro- 
ductions were so superior to those of the 
donor that the entire outfit was ultimately 
given to him. 



"quicksilver bob" 



Fulton was nicknamed by his comrades 
"Quicksilver Bob," because of his frequent 
purchases of the illusive and glittering 
metal, used by him in experiments which 
he declined to describe. Before this time 
he had drawn designs for firearms and 
had become expert in experimenting with 
them in order to determine the compara- 
tive carrying distance of different bores 
and balls. He is known to have manu- 
2 21 



ROBERT FULTON 

factured an air-gun in the year 1779, but 
there is no record of its success. The firm 
of Isch and Messersmith were employed 
by the Continental authorities to make and 
repair arms for the troops. Guards were 
stationed at the doors of their shops, and 
to fill the orders the workmen labored 
night and day and also on Sundays, a rare 
trespass upon sacred time in those days. 
"Quicksilver Bob" came and went daily 
among the workmen, and it has been said 
that his mechanical judgment was so 
highly prized that his suggestions and 
drawings were frequently followed. It is 
asserted that he also painted signs for the 
village taverns and shops, as did his fa- 
mous predecessor, Benjamin West. 

In 1779, when Robert was fourteen 

years of age, he formed a friendship with 

Christopher Gumpf , an apprentice in the 

machine-shop of Mr. Messersmith. Chris- 

22 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

topher was eighteen years old. His father, 
Deter Gumpf, an experienced fisherman 
in the quiet waters of the Conestoga 
Creek, used to take Christopher and Rob- 
ert with him, and the boys would pole the 
flat-bottomed boat from place to place, 
over the good fishing-grounds. The ex- 
ercise was severe, for the boat was cum- 
bersome. Robert and Christopher agreed 
that they were tired of the work. About 
this time Robert went to Little Britain 
township for a brief visit with his aunt; 
and, during his absence from the machine- 
shops, he busied himself with the manu- 
facture of a small working model of a 
fishing-boat to be propelled by paddles. 
He left this model in his aunt's attic with 
the request that it be kept, and in subse- 
quent years it was an object of curiosity 
in the old lady's parlor. 1 When Robert 

1 Repeated inquiries have failed to locate this interesting relic. 

23 



ROBERT FULTON 

returned to Lancaster, he made a set of 
paddle-wheels for Mr. Gumpf's boat, to 
be operated by a double crank motion. 
He tried this invention on the Conestoga 
River, opposite Rockford, and found it so 
satisfactory that it was used in subsequent 
fishing-trips. 

At one time in 1777, as many as 2000 
British prisoners were quartered at Lan- 
caster, and the natives greatly feared an 
outbreak. The privates were kept at bar- 
racks, and the British officers lodged at 
public or private houses. The prisoners 
fared poorly enough at times. One day 
rations were cut off from the women and 
children, and they were forced to appeal 
for relief from starvation. The Hessians, 
some of whom had their wives with them, 
occupied square huts of mud and sod. 
Their strange encampment was naturally 
attractive to the boys of the village, and 
24 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

Robert Fulton's ready pencil caricatured 
them. 

fulton's career as artist 

At the age of seventeen, Fulton left Lan- 
caster to seek his fortune, and took up his 
residence in Philadelphia as a painter of 
portraits and miniatures. His papers are 
singularly devoid of reference to these 
years. He was never retrospective, but 
eager for new accomplishment. Life of- 
fered him delights in art and science, and 
his industry appears to have made alter- 
nate choice in these fields of thought and 
enterprise. His energy was indefatigable ; 
he not only earned his own living, but sent 
remittances to his mother in Lancaster. 
He apparently seized upon any form of 
employment which could be secured by 
personal endeavor. He is known to have 
drawn plans for machinery, which he sub- 
25 



ROBERT FULTON 

mitted to various shops; he designed car- 
riages and buildings, and at the same time 
worked at his regular profession as a 
painter. White's Directory of the City of 
Philadelphia for 1785 has this entry: 

"Fulton, Robert: Miniature Painter. 
Corner of 2nd & Walnut Streets." 

A diligent search has brought to light 
several examples of Fulton's art, which, 
by kind permission of the several owners, 
are here reproduced for the first time. 

His success during the subsequent 
four years in Philadelphia was due to in- 
domitable perseverance, aided by the 
charm of an attractive personality. He 
seems to have possessed a positive faculty 
for friendships, and his choice, determined 
by social rather than sordid considera- 
tions, speedily won patronage. He en- 
joyed a personal friendship with Benjamin 
Franklin, who favored him with unusual 
attention and kindness. 
26 




Owned by the Academy of Fine Arts, 
Philadelphia 

MINIATURE OF CLEMENTINA ROSS 



Owned by H. A. Bnardman, St. Paul, 
Minn. 



MINIATURE OF SAMUEL BEACH 




Owned by the Pennsylvania Historical Society 
MR. AND MRS. JOHN WILKES KITTERA 



MINIATURES PAINTED BY ROBERT FULTON 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

After a severe attack of pulmonary- 
trouble, which gave evidences of a ten- 
dency toward a hasty decline, Fulton de- 
cided, upon expert advice, to seek* the 
recovery of his health at the famous 
springs of Virginia. At this then fash- 
ionable place of resort, he formed friend- 
ships with several persons of wise 
judgment, and through their recommen- 
dation, and his own personal desire to 
seek out and profit by a study of the art 
treasures of Europe, he began to arrange 
his affairs for a voyage to the Old World. 

In ill health, and desiring to provide a 
permanent home for his mother and sis- 
ters, he invested his savings of more than 
four hundred dollars in a farm in the 
township of Hopewell, Washington 
County, Pennsylvania. The adjacent 
town of Washington was at this time en- 
joying a land boom, and in addition to the 
purchase of the farm for his mother, 
29 



ROBERT FULTON 

Fulton also bought four lots in Wash- 
ington as laid out by Mr. Hogl, the 
pioneer settler. During the year 1793 
Fulton wrote from London to Mr. Hogl 
to convey deeds for three of these lots to 
his sisters, Mrs. Mary Morris, 1 Mrs. Isa- 
bella Cook, and Mrs. Peggy Scott. From 
this fact it is known that all the sisters had 
married. 

In 1786, Robert Fulton sailed for Eng- 
land, bearing numerous letters of intro- 
duction to distinguished Americans 
abroad. Among these, a letter -from his 
friend and patron Benjamin Franklin 

1 David Morris, husband of Mary Fulton, was a nephew 
of Benjamin West. To him Fulton wrote in 1793 : 

" Your Uncle West is now at the head of his profession 
and Presides at the Royal Academy over all the Painters of 
England. But he is a Great Genius and merits all the hon- 
our he has obtained— he has steadily pursued his Course, 
and Step by Step at length Reached the Summit where he 
now looks round on the beauties of past Industry, — an orna- 
ment to Society and Stimulis to young Men." 

Extract from a Utter owned by the 
Chicago Historical Society. 

30 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

to Benjamin West, the Pennsylvania ar- 
tist who had attained high honor in Lon- 
don, was of special help in launching 
Fulton in the art circles of Europe. The 
connection between the West and Fulton 
families, and the pronounced similarity of 
taste and .ambition, attracted them to an 
immediate and intimate comradeship. 



EARLY EXPERIMENTS OF WILLIAM HENRY 
AND JOHN FITCH 

Fulton must already have been familiar 
with some of the early attempts toward 
steam navigation. His Lancaster towns- 
man, William Henry, an ingenious gun- 
smith, during a visit in 1760 to England, 
had applied his mind toward the possi- 
bility of using a Watt's engine in the pro- 
pulsion of boats. In Bowen's "Sketches 
of Pennsylvania," it is asserted that 
31 



ROBERT FULTON 

Henry, after his return to Lancaster, 
constructed a machine, and in 1763 at- 
tached it to a boat. He made an experi- 
ment with this unique craft upon the 
Conestoga River, but by a mishap the 
boat became disabled and sank. He after- 
ward constructed a second model with 
improvements, and in 1782 he presented 
to the American Philosophical Society 
a design for a machine with steam as 
motive power. An intelligent German, 
Herr Shoepff, who visited the United 
States in 1783, while in Lancaster made 
the acquaintance of Henry, and was 
shown a machine intended for the pro- 
pulsion of boats. He reported that Henry 
himself had been doubtful whether such 
a machine would find favor with the pub- 
lic, "as every one considers it impracticable 
to make a boat move against wind and 
tide." But Henry was credited with the 
32 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

assertion that "such a boat will come into 
use and navigate on the waters of the Ohio 
and Mississippi rivers," although the time 
for appreciation and application had not 
yet arrived. 

John Fitch, whose name is also right- 
fully honored as a pioneer experimenter 
in steam navigation, was a frequent visitor 
at the house of Mr. Henry in Lancaster. 
There were doubtless discussions between 
the two men in regard to the project which 
Henry had under consideration. On the 
2d of December, 1785, at a special 
meeting of the American Philosophical 
Society, John Fitch was personally pre- 
sented to the members, and consulted a 
few, including Henry, as to his project. 

Of Henry and Fitch, and of Robert 

Fulton's ultimate success in solving the 

problem of steam navigation, the late Dr. 

Robert H. Thurston, former Director of 

33 



ROBERT FULTON 

the Department of Mechanical Engineer- 
ing of Cornell University, wrote : 

Fitch evidently made the first successful ex- 
periment in the propelling of boats by steam ; 
but William Henry has probably the honor of 
originating the idea, and building the first 
steam-boat ever built in the United States. 
Fitch improved on Mr. Henry's model, and Ful- 
ton improved on both. . . . Fulton took the 
products of the genius of other mechanics, and 
set them at work in combination, and then ap- 
plied the already known steam-boat in his more 
satisfactorily proportioned form, to a variety 
of useful purposes, and with final success. It 
is this which constitutes Fulton's claim upon 
the gratitude and the remembrance of the 
nations. And it is quite enough. 

At the time of his visit to England, 
Robert Fulton's preferred aim was art, 
though his active mind soon began to busy 
itself with various inventions. West was 
conspicuous for the consideration which 
he showed to young artists; but he be- 
stowed unusual favor upon Fulton, who 
34 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

became an inmate in his home. During 
these years Fulton worked indefatigably 
at his art, and while the sum of his works 
is unknown, records of a few of his paint- 
ings have been found. There is mention 
in the Royal Academy catalogue of three 
portraits as having been on exhibition, as 
follows: In 1791 "Portrait of a Young 
Gentleman," and "Portrait of Two 
Young Gentlemen"; and in 1793 "Por- 
trait of a Lady" (Mrs. Murray). The 
same year he also exhibited four paintings, 
two subject pictures and two anonymous 
portraits, at the Society of Artists. 1 



FULTON S COUNTRY TOUR IN ENGLAND 

James Renwick, in his "Biography of 
Robert Fulton," published in Jared 
Sparks's "Library of American Biogra- 

x For list of Fulton's art works, see Appendix, page 354. 

35 



ROBERT FULTON 

phy," is the only historian to refer to an 
interesting tour made about this time by 
Fulton among the castles and country- 
places of the British nobility for the study 
of their artistic treasures. After leaving 
London, he went to Exeter, in the County 
of Devon, and for a time was a resident of 
Powderham Castle, the chief seat of the 
Courtenays. The steward of the estate, 
a gentleman by birth and education, en- 
tertained all guests without court rank, 
for the Baron of Powderham lived in a 
degree of royal exclusion. During Ful- 
ton's residence at the castle, he occu- 
pied himself with the copying of several 
famous works of art. To his titled bene- 
factor Fulton extended a gratitude which 
was later put to the test, and found faith- 
ful. Professor Renwick tells us, in some- 
what veiled terms, that several years after 
Fulton had returned to America, 
36 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

the heir of the title and fortunes of the Cour- 
tenays, became a refugee in our land under 
circumstances of disgrace and humiliation. . . . 
Every door was closed against him except that 
of Fulton. The feelings of Fulton were prob- 
ably those which lead the benevolent to minister 
to the comforts and to soothe the mental an- 
guish of the condemned criminal; but in the 
instance we allude to, it required not only the 
existence of such feelings, but a high degree of 
courage to exercise them, in the face of a popu- 
lar impression, which, whether well or ill founded, 
was universally entertained. 

During Robert Fulton's sojourn in 
Devonshire, he formed friendships with 
several men of distinction, and it is said 
that portraits and landscapes painted by 
him at this period are to be found in 
many of the stately homes of England. 
It should be remembered that during all 
these years he was supporting himself en- 
tirely by his own efforts with palette and 
brush. 

37 



ROBERT FULTON 

In Devonshire he won the personal in- 
terest of two influential peers of the realm, 
whose scientific investigations were a keen 
joy and an important factor in defining 
his subsequent career. These men, the 
Duke of Bridgewater and Earl Stanhope, 
were scientists of advanced thought. The 
former had inherited a vast estate, which, 
although it abounded in mineral wealth, 
failed to render an adequate financial 
return, because the mines were inaccessible 
through lack of a proper development for 
the transportation of their output. The 
growing town of Manchester had need of 
coal for its manufactories, and there was 
plenty of coal in the lands of the Duke of 
Bridgewater. But all products had to be 
carried from the estate in sacks upon 
pack-horses. The duke, therefore, with 
the aid of a native genius, Brindley by 
name, whom he termed his engineer, 
38 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

opened canal navigation throughout his 
lands. This was attained only at great 
cost in the face of appalling difficulties 
and much opposition. It is said that, at 
one time, he barely escaped confinement as 
a lunatic, so ridiculous did his plans ap- 
pear to critical friends and relatives. At 
the time Fulton met him, the success of his 
canal project was manifest, and he was 
already amassing wealth through the aid 
of this new method of water carriage. 
Similar schemes were projected through- 
out the country, and the duke became the 
proprietor of several navigation com- 
panies which were at that time in forma- 
tion to construct a great system of 
waterways through England. It is 
thought that the duke's plans, if not his 
solicitation, had much to do with Fulton's 
abandonment of art for civil engineering ; 
for, from this time on, his thoughts were 
3 39 



ROBERT FULTON 

occupied with canal navigation and allied 
subjects of practical utility. 

With the Earl of Stanhope, whose tal- 
ent ran to mechanical devices and scien- 
tific research, Fulton entered into a 
spirited correspondence. The earl was an 
enthusiast; his inventions, though they 
bordered on great discovery, and were 
based upon noble aims, were never car- 
ried to a degree of commercial perfection. 
One of his plans was for the application 
of steam to navigation, by the use of a 
curious paddle, resembling the webbed 
foot of a waterfowl. He communicated 
his ideas on this subject to Fulton, who 
showed the practical impossibility of the 
project. Cadwallader D. Colden and 
Professor Renwick both authoritatively 
stated that Fulton, in a letter written dur- 
ing the year 1793 from Devonshire, briefly 
gave, in exchange for the earl's impracti- 
40 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

cable plan for steam navigation, the very 
principles of his own later application, 
which afterward was successfully demon- 
strated on the Hudson River. 1 Earl Stan- 
hope, however, proceeded with his own 
design, and in an experiment made at the 
London docks, met with failure. But his 
generous nature continued to find interest 
in Fulton's plans and aspirations, and 
upon several subsequent occasions he gave 
evidences of his sincere friendship for the 
American inventor. 

From Devonshire, Fulton went to Bir- 
mingham, where he took up his residence. 
Although his name does not appear in the 
list of engineers who were engaged upon 
the Duke of Bridgewater's project of 
building canals from Birmingham to the 
chief seaports, there is little doubt that 
he went there with the aim of studying 

1 See page 129. 

41 



ROBERT FULTON 

the new enterprise. It is asserted by sev- 
eral biographers of Fulton that during 
his eighteen months' residence in Bir- 
mingham he met and entered into confi- 
dential correspondence with Watt, the 
inventor of the steam engine. 1 One narra- 
tor states that Fulton actually superin- 
tended the construction of an engine, 
where no other aid could be obtained. 
This friendship has been questioned by 
others, whose proof against it lies in the 
fact that a letter from Joel Barlow stated 
that Fulton had never met Watt. Mr. 
Colden agrees with Renwick that as early 
as 1793, Fulton had turned his thoughts 
toward steam navigation as an important 
possibility, and had outlined his plan for 
putting it in practice, and this fact is con- 

1 A letter recently shown to the Society of Naval Archi- 
tects by Sir Frederick Bramwell proves that Fulton wrote 
to order an engine from Watt in 1 794. There is no record 
that the order was filled. See Appendix, page 303. 

42 




CHARLES, THIRD EARL. OF STANHOPE 
Painted by Robert Fulton. Now in possession of Hermann Livingston 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

clusively proved by the first reproduction 
of Fulton's letter to the earl (see p. 129) . 
But these dreams did not keep him from 
the development of other practical con- 
trivances. In 1794 he secured from the 
British government a patent for a double 
inclined plane for raising and lowering 
canal-boats, and also received from the 
British Society of Arts and Commerce 
the thanks and an honorary medal of the 
society for a submitted invention for saw- 
ing marble. About the same period he 
obtained English patents upon a machine 
for spinning flax, and for a new invention 
for twisting hemp rope. He appears to 
have been reaching out in many directions 
of thought, to try to solve some industrial 
problem, great or small; but his energies 
were chiefly turned toward the further 
development of canal systems. He de- 
signed and obtained English patents for a 
45 



ROBERT FULTON 

dredging-machine for scooping out earth 
to form the channels for canals or aque- 
ducts, and later patented "The Market or 
Passage Boat" for use upon canals; and 
still later, a "Dispatch Boat," devised for 
special speed in transporting goods which 
required expedition. These smaller in- 
ventions, although they were useful at the 
time in furthering the utility of canal 
navigation, were but steps toward a 
greater development of the inventor's 
knowledge of practical science. The dis- 
tinguished John Owen, founder of Eng- 
lish Socialism, a one-time partner of 
Fulton in the enterprise of the dredging- 
machine, in his autobiography tells of the 
interesting fact of a meeting in 1794 be- 
tween his friends, Samuel Taylor Cole- 
ridge, the poet, and Robert Fulton, whom 
he terms "the famous American engineer 
and inventor and introducer of the steam- 
46 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

boat." It is a significant coincidence that 
the author of "The Ancient Mariner" 
should have known the inventor who was 
so soon to change the world's methods of 
navigation. Fulton answered in practical 
fashion the dreamy question of the poet, 

But why drives on that ship so fast, 
Without or wave or wind? 

Fulton's power as an accurate drafts- 
man enabled him to describe fully upon 
paper, with accompanying charts, his 
various models of inventions. He also 
made copious notes upon the subjects 
which he had in mind, and later, as 
his ideas matured, he wrote essays and 
pamphlets upon specific subjects, and 
sent them, with accompanying letters, 
to those persons who had the power to 
promote their advancement. In 1796 he 
published "A Treatise on Canal Naviga- 
47 



ROBERT FULTON 

tion," 1 illustrated by seventeen plates, and 
designed to show "the numerous advan- 
tages to be derived from small canals." 
The title-page indicated that the author- 
ship was "By Robert Fulton, Civil Engi- 
neer," his first public use of that signature. 
He appears to have entirely abandoned his 
painting and thereafter to have used his 
talent for art solely to illustrate his ideas 
for mechanical contrivances. 

Throughout the succeeding pages he 
endeavored to show the advantages of a 
system of small canals, which, if intro- 
duced in any fertile country, would in- 
crease the financial resources of all the 
inhabitants of the inland districts, by en- 
abling them to offer their farm products 
to the inhabitants of the larger coast 
towns. He acknowledged that his first 
study of the subject of canal navigation 

1 See Appendix, page 304. 

48 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

was inspired by the reading of a paper 
descriptive of a canal proposed by Earl 
Stanhope. Fulton's treatise dealt with 
the practical contrivances necessary for 
such a waterway, and described his pat- 
ents already secured for the easy trans- 
portation of boats from one level to 
another by use of inclined planes. 

Fulton did not confine himself to a 
mere recital of the technicalities of his in- 
vention; with broad-minded prophecy he 
viewed the possibilities of canal navigation 
as contributing to the best form of polit- 
ical economy for any nation which would 
adopt it. He calculated the profits to be 
derived, the expenses incident to the de- 
velopment of his plan, and the immense 
advantage which would result from an 
enlarged system which, like arteries of the 
body, would unite all parts of the country. 
He especially emphasized the advantages 
49 



ROBERT FULTON 

which America would gain from the sys- 
tem. 

Fulton sent copies of his treatise to 
Governor Mifflin of Pennsylvania, and to 
George Washington, 1 who was then Presi- 
dent of the United States, urging their 
thoughtful consideration of the project. 
Washington wrote a courteous acknow- 
ledgment, but there is no record of official 
action on the part of the Federal govern- 
ment. 

The "Treatise on Canals," with Ful- 
ton's letter to Governor Mifflin, was trans- 
lated into French and published in Paris 
in the seventh year of the Republic. It 
won the attention of many engineers and 
mechanicians, but apparently produced no 
large constructive results. 

Universal free trade was the avowed 
motive of Fulton's various experiments, 
and for this cause he wrote several 

1 See Appendix, page 306. 

50 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

treatises during his residence in Birming- 
ham and later. In 1795 he published 
some essays on canals in the London 
"Morning Star," and two years later ad- 
dressed a paper to the French Directory 
which he entitled "Thoughts on Free 
Trade." It should be remembered that 
only a short time before Fulton's removal 
to Birmingham, the French Revolution had 
charged two nations wdth new desires for 
political advancement. This great histor- 
ical event had immense weight in the defi- 
nition of Fulton's subsequent career. 

That Fulton was studying these inter- 
national disputes is proved by an extract 
from a letter written to his brother-in- 
law, David Morris, in 1794. It is pub- 
lished by permission of the Chicago 
Historical Society: 

"As to Europe it is all in alarm, the 
united efforts of England, Prusia, Spain, 
Holland, Germany, Rushia, and all the 
51 



ROBERT FULTON 

allied Powers have not been able as Yet 
to mount Another King on the Back of 
the French Nation. It is almost incred- 
ible with what Vigor the French meet 
their enemies, while Live the Republic is 
the Constant Song; and Liberty or death 
their Motto. Thus determined to Estab- 
lish Republickism they have at this mo- 
ment, five hundred thousand Men under 
Arms, Ready for the ensuing Campaign. 
The Allies Seeing so much unshaken 
firmness Ready to meet them begin to 
despair of King making, And think it 
time to Look to their own Safety, As the 
discontented enumerate fast in all the 
Belligerant States, the People Contem- 
plate the Nature of a Republic, and the 
more they think, the more they admire it. 
When a Revolution once takes place in 
the mind it will Soon make its appearance 
externaly. And I Can assure you there 
52 




ROBERT FULTON 

From the original painted by himself in 1795, now 
owned by Mrs. Robert Fulton Biight 

This portrait was purchased from the authorities of Fulton Hall, Lancaster, Penn., by Robert 

Fulton Blight. It was exhibited at the World's Fair in Chicago, and at the request of the 

German Consul was copied by Thomas Anschutz for the Postal Museum at Berlin 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

are numbers who do not hesitate to say 
that Monarchial Governments are going 
out of Fashion. Things Being thus situ- 
ated it is the report of the day that the 
King of Prushia has withdrawn from the 
alliance. The Empres of Rushia has cer- 
tainly found work at home with the turks. 
And thus the French are eased of two 
powerful adversaries — how things will 
terminate God only knows. But as far as 
Man Can penetrate into events it is be- 
lieved the French will prove Successful 
and establish a Republic, the Natural Con- 
sequence will be Republicks throughout 
Europe (In time.) It has been much 
Agitated here Whether the Americans 
would Join the French. But I Believe 
every Cool friend to America Could wish 
them to Remain nuter. The americans 
have no troublesome Neighbours, they are 
without foreign Possessions, and do not 
55 



ROBERT FULTON 

want the alliance of any Nation, for this 
Reason they have nothing to do with for- 
eign Politics. And the Art of Peace 
Should be the Study of every young 
American which I most Sincerely hope 
they will mentain" 

His earliest impressions of patriotism 
had been gained during the struggle for 
American Independence, and the reason- 
able and sympathetic minds of England 
and America were excited to profound 
commiseration over the unhappy condi- 
tions resultant from the misrule of the 
French democracy. The unbiased minds 
of the American people were active in ob- 
servation; Fulton, who was avowedly a 
Republican, shared the prevalent sym- 
pathy for the oppressed. But in 1796 
the excesses of the French Revolution had 
ceased, and Great Britain commenced an 
aggression on the seas through which the 
56 



AND THE ''CLERMONT" 

United States were the greatest sufferers. 
Fulton shared the resentment which Eng- 
land's attitude excited among Americans 
and set himself the task of abolishing 
piracy upon the seas. Temporarily he 
turned his attention from canal structure 
to the study of a new weapon designed to 
provide universal peace; and this resulted 
in the invention of the torpedo, a work of 
equal magnitude to his later production, 
the steamboat. 



57 



PART II 
ROBERT FULTON IN FRANCE 



IN the year 1797, the Earl of Malmes- 
bury went to Lille to propose terms 
of peace between England and France. 
During that neutral period, Fulton 
thought that he saw an opportunity to 
convey to the world, through the French 
Directory, his ideas for future tranquil- 
lity, which embraced "a Universal better- 
ment of Humanity, through a constructive 
system of Canals, and a destructive system 
of Torpedoes." His great hope for uni- 
versal peace led him to dream of an 
ultimate invention which should set at 
naught the oppression of maritime influ- 
ences. He planned to make the seas and 
waters open channels to a friendly inter- 
course among the nations. To this end, 
61 



ROBERT FULTON 

without abandoning his hope of canal 
structure for the welfare of inland dis- 
tricts, he conceived a submarine contri- 
vance, which he named a "Torpedo," that 
through tremendous explosive force might 
destroy the armaments of the seas. The 
French statesman Carnot, an inflexible 
republican, formerly Minister of War, 
was then an executive of the Directory, 
but after the revolution of 18 Fructidor 
he was obliged to flee to Germany. Ful- 
ton had reason to hope that he would be 
able to influence Carnot, who was already, 
through correspondence, his personal 
friend. 

For this purpose, and with the hope of 
perfecting patents in France for his in- 
ventions relative to canals, Robert Fulton 
journeyed from London to Paris. He 
called immediately on the poet and diplo- 
mat Joel Barlow, to whom he presented 
62 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

credentials, and took up his abode in the 
same hotel where Mr. and Mrs. Barlow 
were living. Later, when the Barlows 
opened a home of their own, they invited 
Fulton to join them. A rare friendship 
between the two men ensued, and for seven 
years thereafter, Fulton resided with them. 
During Fulton's sojourn in France, 
Barlow was not charged with American 
public duties; but in French politics he 
identified himself with the Girondist 
party, and was not without political in- 
fluence; Robert Fulton shared his enthu- 
siasm and interest. 

fulton's panorama 

Fulton invented the first panorama ever 
shown in Paris, which was ready to be ex- 
hibited about the year 1800. A wealthy 
American had purchased a large tract of 
63 



ROBERT FULTON 

ground in a central position, and had built 
upon it a row of shops, arranged along 
two sides of a covered cloister. Upon one 
section of this property, Fulton suggested 
the erection of two lofty, circular build- 
ings, and these were constructed for the 
exhibition of the panorama. The venture 
attracted great attention and yielded a 
substantial profit. It was of sufficient im- 
portance to suggest the name of the street 
upon which it was reared, and to this day 
"Rue des Panorames" serves as a reminder 
of Fulton's production. 

The subject of the panorama, recently 
discovered upon record in Paris, was 
'TIncendie de Moscow." The scenes 
depicted were obviously those of one of the 
early devastations by fire, of which several 
are recorded in history, and obviously not 
that later famous tragedy of 1812. It is 
interesting to consider that many of the 
survivors of Napoleon's army of invasion 
64 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

and retreat may have looked upon the can- 
vases whereon Fulton had portrayed 
earlier scenes of horror and devastation. 1 

Robert Fulton possessed to a remarka- 
ble degree the power of concentrated 

1 M. Henry B. Bayer, Special Commissioner to the United 
States for the International Maritime Exposition of Bor- 
deaux, in his address at the Jamestown Exposition, on 
Robert Fulton Day, said that Fulton's panorama was an 
exceptional success. The people were so attracted to the 
new recreation that a song extolling its merits became 
popular throughout France. 

One verse, with translation, follows : 

Paris pas plus grand que cela, 
Jouit de succes legitimes. 
Un savant vous le montrera, 
Pour un franc cinquante centimes. 
Et tout le monde donne ou donnera, 
Dans le pano, pano, panorama ! 

Paris is not too great 

To enjoy a lawful success. 

A wise man will show it to you 

For one franc and fifty centimes (30 cents). 

And everybody is giving or will give 

To the pano — pano — panorama ! 

Later Colonel Jean Charles Langlois, the painter of bat- 
tle scenes, used Fulton's panorama for the reproduction of 
victories of the French Army. 

65 



ROBERT FULTON 

thought. He studied French, Italian, and 
German, and acquired a proficiency in the 
three languages; higher mathematics, 
physics, chemistry, and perspective also 
demanded his attention as he progressed 
in scientific research. It is known that he 
painted several portraits while in Paris, 
and one of these, of Joel Barlow, is here 
reproduced. He mingled with the promi- 
nent artists of the day. 1 

But just at that period canal extension 
was the main topic of his thought. To this 
end he addressed letters explanatory of his 
project to men of distinction in America, 2 
France, and England. Of these, the let- 

1 Houdon, the great French sculptor executed an admir- 
able bust of Fulton which was shown in the Salon in the year 
IX, and Robert Le Fevre, painter to the King and a mem- 
ber of the Legion of Honor, painted a likeness of Fulton. 
A beautiful French miniature of the same period is also ex- 
tant, now the property of Mrs. Joseph Drexel, of Philadel- 
phia. 

2 See Fulton's letter to Washington, Appendix, page 306. 

66 



AND THE "CLERMONT'' 

ter to Washington offers indisputable 
proof that Fulton was the first to suggest 
the Erie Canal. The claim to this priority 
has been disputed, but the testimony here 
recorded seems conclusive. 

In the Lenox Library may be found the 
French original of the letter which ap- 
parently was addressed to Bonaparte 
shortly before his departure for Egypt. 1 

fulton's torpedo 

As early as December, 1797, Fulton, 
aided by Barlow, experimented upon a 
machine designed to impart motion under 
water to "carcasses" of gunpowder. An 
elongated and oval construction was to be 
forced to a point below water, and, at a 
calculated time, discharge its fire. The 
project contained the initial idea of Ful- 

1 See Appendix, page 313. 

67 



ROBERT FULTON 

ton's subsequent invention of the torpedo- 
boat, but at that time the test failed to be 
satisfactory. The name "torpedo," chosen 
by Fulton for his submarine contrivance, 
has since been given to all similar ma- 
chines. 1 Sir Thomas Herbert, the English 
traveler and author, had written : 

The Torpaedo or Cramp Fish came also to 
our hands, but we were amazed (not knowing 
that fish but by its quality) when a sudden 
trembling seazed on us ; a device it has to beget 
liberty, by evaporating a cold breath to stupefie 
such as either touch or hold a thing that touches 
it. 

After the first failure, with charac- 
teristic hopefulness Fulton began imme- 
diately to formulate a variety of new 
experiments. There is no doubt that at 

1 Fulton's countryman, David Bushnell, a graduate of 
Yale, during the Revolution had invented a submarine 
"magazine" which by means of clockwork would explode 
a case of gunpowder under water ; but the attempts to use 
the device resulted in disappointment. 

68 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

this time he valued the torpedo project 
with more favor than his already con- 
ceived idea of steam navigation. 

On August 28, 1798, Mr. Joshua Gilpin 1 
of London said in a letter to Lord Stan- 
hope: "I hear from France that Mr. Ful- 
ton has not yet gone to America; and 
probably it may be some time before he 
gets away, as an embargo rests on our ves- 
sels ; besides which the Government and he 
are amusing each other (I think however 
to little purpose) on his new invention of 
the submarine boat. I fear this will keep 
him from more useful pursuits." Many of 
Fulton's friends were doubtful of the 
value of his ventures. That the rumor of 
their disapproval reached him is shown by 

''Joshua Gilpin, born in Philadelphia 1765, lived in Eng- 
land 1795-1801. He published "Memoir of a Canal from 
the Chesapeake to the Delaware," and died 1840. Fulton 
wrote to Gilpin in 1798 that his (Fulton's) plans had been 
adopted for the Canal from Paris to Dieppe and Cambrai, 
the only known record of his engagement in this project. 

71 



ROBERT FULTON 

a passage in a letter 1 dated "Paris, No- 
vember the 20th, 1798," to Mr. Gilpin, 
containing a reference to Mr. Cartwright. 
Edmund Cartwright, an English clergy- 
man and graduate of Oxford, had in 1785 
obtained the first patent for a power-loom 
for the weaving of cotton cloth. Two 
years later he invented a wool-carding 
machine; and, in 1797, a steam-engine in 
which alcohol was used. It is asserted that 
he "assisted Robert Fulton in his experi- 
ments with steamboats." Joel Barlow also 
mentions him, in a letter to Fulton in 
1802, when, after an interview with Mr. 
Livingston, he says that he has heard un- 
favorable reports about Cartwright's en- 
gine, and doubts whether it will do for the 
proposed steamboat. "If you recur to 
Watts," he adds, "it is probably best to lay 
it horizontal, his fears with regard to the 

1 See Appendix, page 316. 

72 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

strain on the boat from the up-and-down 
stroke are not without foundation." 

The letter to Joshua Gilpin, in the Ap- 
pendix and never before published, gives 
additional proof of Robert Fulton's con- 
stancy to his country. Those who have 
criticized his aim of securing "a lasting 
peace" by means of a destructive agent, 
the torpedo-boat, a weapon designed to 
cause wholesale ruin and devastation, 
should remember that he was animated by 
the hope that so powerful an instrument 
in the hands of a righteous nation would 
ultimately put an end to all warfare. 

Throughout the summer of 1800, Ful- 
ton was at Havre, busily engaged upon 
experimental work with his torpedoes. 
Mrs. Joel Barlow, on medical advice, had 
gone there for the invigoration of the sea 
air and baths. Mr. Barlow's affairs de- 
tained him in Paris, and his letters to his 
73 



ROBERT FULTON 

wife, to whom he was devotedly attached, 
contain interesting references to Fulton's 
submarine projects. Fulton made divers 
tests with his torpedo-boats against the 
British frigates which hovered along the 
coast. The situation was filled with sus- 
pense, and the utilization of a new weapon 
of warfare seemed soon to be realized. 
But experiments were costly, and Fulton 
was frequently in need of money for the 
furtherance of his schemes. From time to 
time Barlow forwarded drafts, which ap- 
parently were the profits from Fulton's 
panorama, then on exhibition in Paris. 
These profits were shared by a Mr. 
Thayer, 1 who had secured an extension 
to fifteen years of the original ten years' 
patent, on April 26, 1799, granted to Ful- 
ton. Barlow wrote to his wife, on 29th 
Thermidor, 1800: 

1 James William Thayer, an American. 

74 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

Tell Toot he shall have the $1000 in a day 
or two, but Thayer has not paid according to 
his promise. The pictures go not well, — 50 or 
60 livres a day for both, — and at this season! 
But the excessive heat prevents everybody from 
stirring out, especially upon the Boulevard, and 
in the day time. 



"Toot" was Barlow's pet name for Ful- 
ton, possibly suggested by the tooting of 
the steam-engine with which he was al- 
ready experimenting. 

A few days later Barlow forwarded 
$500 through a banking house, and prom- 
ised more in a day or two. 

During that summer Fulton spent his 
efforts in the development and practical 
demonstration of submarine navigation. 
His friends, of whom Barlow was chief, 
were anxious lest he should overtax his 
strength. 

The torpedo experiments were attended 
75 



ROBERT FULTON 

with danger and under hostile observa- 
tion. Barlow wrote to his wife 17th 
Fructidor : 

And poor Toot, I suppose, is now gone. I 
have not believed of late there was much dan- 
ger in the expedition especially if they don't 
go over to the enemy's coast. I have certainly 
seen the day when I would have undertaken it 
without fear or apprehension of extraordinary 
risk. I can't say that I am now without un- 
easiness. I should probably have less if I was 
in the boat and without bodily pain. But 
there is really very little to fear. The weather 
is fine; they are only going along the coast. 
He is master of all his movements, and it ap- 
pears to me one of the safest of all hostile enter- 
prises. 

Throughout his manoeuvers, Fulton rec- 
ognized the necessity of governmental 
cooperation. He believed that the project 
in hand was for the benefit of the nations 
of the earth, and not for the furtherance 
76 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

of individual or even of national aggran- 
dizement. His device for submarine 
gunnery must, if it should prove practi- 
cable, be guarded by wise laws for the 
safety of navies; but first it must be 
practised and proved of value in warfare 
by some one nation. To that end he hoped 
to find the Government of France willing 
to give the system a fair trial. 

His first appeal to the Directory was 
encouraged. With the appeal he for- 
warded a descriptive letter which defined 
the advantages of his invention. He de- 
scribed it as a weapon capable of freeing 
the Republic from all oppressors. The 
Directory gave him reason to hope that his 
plan would be received with favor, and day 
by day he awaited their reply. Barlow 
added his influence to obtain official sanc- 
tion for an expedition against the enemy's 
boats; but there were many rebuffs and 

5 77 



ROBERT FULTON 

few encouragements, although Fulton's 
patience was marked and emphasized at 
every period of his busy life. 

A commission had been appointed by 
the Minister of the Marine during the pre- 
ceding year (1799) , and the reply sent by 
Fulton, and written in French, is the only 
Fulton document preserved in the British 
Museum. 1 It conclusively proves that 
Fulton had received very definite encour- 
agement from the Government of France, 
and it emphasizes the inventor's desire, 
which dominated his enthusiasm through- 
out all his experiments, that an eternal 
peace would result from this warlike con- 
trivance. 

Epistolatory skirmishes between the 
parties to this transaction were almost as 
numerous as between the two warring 

1 A translation of this very interesting document will be 
found in the Appendix, page 318. 

78 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

nations. All of the correspondence is not 
now to be had, but the part that has been 
preserved reveals, for the first time, the 
actual details of the agreement relative to 
the Nautilus, the first submarine torpedo- 
boat. The vessel was built during the lat- 
ter part of 1800, and throughout the 
succeeding summer Fulton was at Brest, 
where the superb harbor, the finest on the 
coast of France, gave him the right oppor- 
tunity for experiments. 

ATTITUDE OF NAPOLEON 

On the 8th Ventose (February 28, 1801) 
Fulton received authoritative word from 
Napoleon, through the Secretary of the 
Port, to send his torpedo-boat against 
the English fleet. After considering the 
matter four days, Fulton accepted the 
proposition and agreed to the terms of 
79 



ROBERT FULTON 

the contract. The following letter, found 
among Fulton's family papers, is here 
published for the first time : 

1st Division 
Bureau of the Port. 

Paris, 7th Germinal, 
the 9th year of the One 
and Indivisible Republic. 
The Minister of the Marines and Colonies. 

To Monsieur Robert Fulton, 

Rue de Vaugirard No. 50, Paris. 

I announced to you, Sir, on the 8th of Ven- 
tose, that the First Consul had authorized me 
to accept your proposition relative to the 
Nautilus. You will have seen by that letter 
that you will, as a consequence, be credited 
with the sum of 10,000 francs to repair this 
Machine, construct the auxiliaries, and to con- 
vey, at your own expense, the Nautilus to 
Brest. 

It has been decreed that you will be allowed 
for the destruction of the Enemy's boats, ac- 
cording to their strength, as follows : 

80 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

400,000 francs for those of more than 30 
cannon. 

200,000 francs for those of more than 20 
cannon up to 30 cannon. 

150,000 francs for those of from 12 to 20 
cannon. 

60,000 francs for those of 10 cannon. 

This force is the minimum, below which you 
will have no power to return claim. 

By your letter of the 12th Ventose, you de- 
clare your acceptance of these conditions, and 
I give the order to put to your account the 
sum of 10,000 francs, by means of which you 
must put in order the armor, the equipment 
and the expedition of the Nautilus. 

There exist several means of determining 
in an authentic manner the destruction of the 
enemy's boats. The attestations, the declara- 
tions, and the interrogations put in legal form 
by competent authorities, will serve you as title 
to reclaim the payment of the sums which may 
ultimately be due you. 

The navigation which you are about to 
undertake being absolutely different from 
others, also the style of war which the Nautilus 
is destined to make upon the enemy, it is not 

81 



ROBERT FULTON 

possible to indicate in advance a fixed method 
of affirming the truth of the facts. But it will 
be supplied by the information of the Com- 
missary of the Government of England, and to 
the Maritime Prefects, every time it becomes 
necessary. (Signed) Foufait. 

The inventor's continued appeal to Na- 
poleon led to the appointment of a com- 
mission to examine the plans for submarine 
navigation, and to provide funds for the 
furtherance of the work of necessary con- 
struction. Napoleon desired, at the con- 
clusion of the experiments, personally to 
view the plunging boat ; but arrangements 
at the time being incomplete, a view of the 
apparatus was not granted. Fulton ex- 
plains the reason for his refusal to grant 
an exhibition of his drawings to a com- 
mittee of engineers, in a letter printed 
below. The Citizens Monge, La Place, 
and Volney were prominent members of 
82 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

the National Institute, for Napoleon had 
taken care to select the three men whose 
judgment could best be relied on. Gas- 
pard Monge, mathematician, had served 
as Minister of the Marine during two 
years, and later founded the Polytechnic 
School of Paris. Pierre-Simon de La 
Place, astronomer, had held the position 
of professor of mathematics in the Ecole 
Militaire, and was later vice-president of 
the senate. And Count Volney, a famous 
French scholar and author, whose travels 
had brought him to America, was a mem- 
ber of the constituent assembly. It was 
these three men who held the power of 
judgment over the newly devised weapon. 
Among Fulton's papers were found 
two letters addressed to this commission. 
Both are of unique interest, the first be- 
cause it shows Fulton's personal reasons 
for guarding his invention with all care, 
83 



ROBERT FULTON 

the second because of its detailed recital 
of his various experiments, with dates and 
subsequent consequences. 1 



Paris, the 3d Complimentary Day, 

An 9. 

Robert Fulton to the Citizens Monge, La Place, 
and Volney, Members of the National Insti- 
tute and Commissionaries appointed by the 

1 First Consul to promote the Invention of 
Submarine Navigation. 

Citizens : This morning I received yours 
of the 2nd Compl. As to the expense of a 
plunging Boat, I believe when constructed in 
the best manner with every improvement which 
experience has pointed out, She cannot cost 
more than 80,000 Livers. The Bombs Sub- 
marine may be estimated at 80 Livers each, on 
an average independent of the powder. 

I am sorry that I had not earlier informa- 
tion of the [first] Counsul's desire to see the 
Plunging Boat. When I finished my experi- 

1 These letters are here given to the public for 
the first time. 

84 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

merits, She leaked very much and being but an 
imperfect engine, I did not think her further 
useful, — hence I took Her to pieces, Sold Her 
Iron work lead and cylinders and was ne- 
cessitated to break the greater part of her 
movements in taking them to pieces. So 
that nothing now remains which can give 
an Idea of her combination; but even had 
She been complete I do not think She could 
have been brought round to Paris. You will 
be so good as to excuse me to the Premier Con- 
sul, when I refuse to exhibit my drawings to a 
Committee of Engineers. For this I have two 
reasons ; the first is not to put it in the power 
of anyone to explain the principles or move- 
ments lest they should pass from one to another 
till the enemy obtained information : the Second 
is that I consider this Invention as my private 
property, the perfectionment of which will give 
to France incalculable advantages over her 
most powerful and active enemy; and which 
Invention, I conceive, ought to secure to me an 
ample Independence. That consequently the 
Government should stipulate certain terms with 
me Before I proceed to further explanation. 
The First Consul is too just, and you know 

87 



ROBERT FULTON 

me too well, to construe this into an avaricious 
disposition in me. I have now laboured 3 
years and at considerable expense to prove 
my experiments. And I find that a man who 
wishes to Cultivate the useful Arts, cannot 
make rapid Progress without sufficient funds to 
put his succession of Ideas to immediate proof; 
and which sufficiency I conceive this invention 
should secure to me. You have intimated that 
the movements and combination of so interest- 
ing an engine should be confided to trusty 
persons, lest any accident should happen to me. 
This precaution I took previous to my depar- 
ture from Paris for my last experiments, by 
placing correct Drawings of the Machine and 
every Movement with their descriptions, in the 
hands of a friend ; so that any engineer capable 
of constructing a Steam engine, could make 
the plunging Boat and Carcasses or Bombs. 

You will therefore be so good as to beg of 
the First Consul to permit you to treat with 
me on the business. And on this point I hope 
there will not be much difficulty. Health and 
sincere respect, 

Robert Fulton. 



88 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

Paris, the £2d Fructidore, An 9. 

Robert Fulton to the Citizens Monge, La Place, 
and Volney, Members of the National Insti- 
tute, and Commissioners appointed by the 
first Consul to promote the invention of Sub- 
marine Navigation. 

Citizens: Yesterday on my return from 
brest I received your note and will with plea- 
sure communicate to you the result of my ex- 
periments, during the summer, also the mode 
which I conceive the most effectual for using 
my invention against the enemy. Before I left 
Paris I informed you that my plunging boat 
had many imperfections, natural to the first 
machine of so difficult a combination added to 
this I found she had been much Injured by the 
rust during the winter in consequence of having 
in many places used Iron bolts and arbours 
instead of copper or brass. The reparation of 
these defects and the difficulty of finding work- 
men consumed near two months, and although 
the machine remained still extremely imperfect, 
yet She has answered to prove every necessary 
experiment in the most satisfactory manner. 
On the 3rd of thermidor I commenced my 
89 



ROBERT FULTON 

experiments by plunging to the depth of 5 
then 10 then 15 and so on, to 25 feet, but not 
to a greater depth than 25 feet as I did not 
conceive the Machine sufficiently strong to bear 
the pressure of a greater column of water. At 
this depth I remained one hour with my three 
companions and two candles burning without 
experiencing the least inconvenience. 

Previous to my leaving Paris I gave to the 
C[itize]n Queyton, Member of the Institute, 
a calculation on the number of cube feet in my 
boat which is about 212. In such a volume of 
air he calculated there would be sufficient Oxy- 
gen to nourish 4 men and two small candles 
3 hours. Seeing that it would be of great im- 
provement to dispense with the candles, I con- 
structed a small window in the upper part of 
the boat near the bow, which window is only one 
inch and a half diameter, and of glass nine 
lines thick. With this prepared, I descended 
on the 5th of Thermidor, to the depth of be- 
tween 24 and 25 feet at which depth I had suf- 
ficient light to count the minutes on the watch. 
Hence I conclude that 3 or 4 such windows ar- 
ranged in different parts of the boat, would 
give sufficient light for any operation during 

90 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

the day. Each window may be guarded by a 
valve in such a manner that should the glass 
break, the valve would immediately shut and 
stop out the water. Finding that I had air 
and light sufficient, and that I could plunge 
and Rise perpendicular with facility, on the 
7th Ther. I commenced the experiments on her 
movements. At ten in the morning I raised her 
anchor and hoisted her sails, which are a main 
sail and Gib, the breeze being light I could not 
at the utmost make more than about two-thirds 
of a league per hour. I tacked and re-tacked, 
tryed her before and by the wind, and in all 
these operations found her to Answer the helm 
and act like a common dull sailing boat. After 
exercising thus about an hour, I lowered the 
mast and Sails and commenced the operation 
of Plunging. This required about two Min- 
utes. I then placed two men at the engine 
which gives the Rectilinear motion, and one at 
the helm, while I governed the machine which 
keeps her balanced two waters. With the 
bathometer before me and with one hand, I 
found I could keep her at any depth I thought 
proper. The men then commenced their move- 
ment and continued about 7 minutes when, 

91 



ROBERT FULTON 

mounting to the surface, I found we had gained 
400 metres. I again plunged, turned her 
round under water and returned to near the 
same Place. I again plunged and tried her 
movements to the right and left, in all of which 
the helm answered and the compass acted the 
same as if on the surface of the water. Having 
continued these experiments the 8, 9, 10 and 
12th, until I became familiar with the move- 
ments and confident in their operation, I turned 
my thoughts to increasing or preserving the 
Air. For this purpose the Cn. Queyton ad- 
vised to precipitate the carbonic acid with lime, 
or to take with me bottles of Oxygen which 
might be uncorked as need required: but as 
any considerable quantity of bottles would take 
up too much room, and as Oxygen could not 
be created at sea without a chemical operation 
which would be very inconvenient, I adopted a 
mode which occurred to me 18 months ago, 
which is a simple globe or bomb of copper 
capable of containing one cube foot to [the 
paper is here torn] a pneumatic pump by 
means of which pump 200 atmospheres or 200 
cube feet of common air may be forced into 
the Bomb, consequently the Bomb or reservoir 

92 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

will contain as much oxygen or vital air as 200 
cube feet of common respirable Air. Hence if 
according to the Cn. Quey ton's calculation 212 
feet which is the volume of the boat, will nour- 
ish 4 men and two small candles S hours, this 
additional reservoir will give sufficient for 6 
hours. This reservoir is constructed with a 
measure and two cocks So as to let measures of 
Air into the Boat as need may require. Pre- 
vious to my leaving Paris I gave orders for this 
machine but it did not arrive till the 18th of 
Thermidor. On the 19th I ordered 2 men to 
fill it, which was an operation of about one 
hour. I then put It into the boat, and with my 
three companions, but without candles, plunged 
to the depth of about five feet. At the expira- 
tion of one hour and 40 minutes I began to let 
off measures of air from the reservoir and so 
on from time to time for 4 hours 20 minutes, 
without experiencing any inconvenience. Hav- 
ing thus succeeded 

To sail like a common boat. 

To obtain air and light. 

To plunge and Rise perpendicular. 

To turn to the right and left at pleasure. 

To steer by the compass under water. 

93 



ROBERT FULTON 

To renew the Common Volume of air with 
facility. 

And to augment the respirable air by a reser- 
voir which may be obtained at all times. 

I conceived every experiment of importance 
to be proved in the most satisfactory manner. 
Hence I quit the experiments on the Boat to 
try those of the Bomb Submarine. It is this 
Bomb which is the Engine of destruction, the 
plunging boat is only for the purpose of con- 
veying the Bomb to where it may be used to 
advantage. They are constructed of Copper 
and of different sizes to contain from 10 to 200 
pounds of powder. Each bomb is arranged 
with a Gun lock in such a manner that if it 
strikes a vessel or the Vessel runs against it, 
the explosion will take place and the bottom of 
the vessel be blown in or so shattered as to ensure 
her destruction. To prove this experiment, the 
Prefect Maritime and Admiral Villaret ordered 
a small Sloop of about 40 feet long to be an- 
chored in the Road, on the 23rd of Thermidor. 
With a bomb containing about 20 pounds of 
powder I advanced to within about 200 Metres, 
then taking my direction so as to pass near the 
Sloop, I struck her with the bomb in my pass- 

94 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

age. The explosion took place and the sloop 
was torn into atoms, in fact, nothing was left 
but the buye [buoy] and cable. And the con- 
cussion was so great that a column of Water, 
Smoke and fibres of the Sloop were cast from 
80 to 100 feet in Air. This simple Experi- 
ment at once proved the effect of the Bomb 
Submarine to the satisfaction of all the Spec- 
tators. Of this Experiment you will see Ad- 
miral Villaret's description in a letter to the 
Minister of Marine. 1 



The demonstration of the destruction of 
the sloop during the month of August, 
1801, was attested by numerous specta- 
tors, and public approval was not lacking. 
The invention seemed of noteworthy im- 
portance to the officials and marine com- 
missioners. It was considered a success, 
and established without doubt in the minds 
of the multitude of spectators the facts 
which Fulton had essayed to prove. Never- 

1 See Fulton's detailed experiments in Appendix, page 320. 

6 95 



ROBERT FULTON 

theless, as time went on, the officials of 
France withheld from Fulton a full 
knowledge of their satisfaction: perhaps 
they did not feel well disposed toward the 
adoption of such destructive weapons; 
possibly it was difficult to convince the 
sailors, who would have to man the new 
boats, that the project was one which 
justified the apparent danger. Mr. C. 
Harrison Suplee, Editor of "Cassier's 
Magazine," in a recent article suggests 
that it was upon a final requirement that 
Fulton included in his terms,— although 
it is not here noted in Forf ait's reply,— 
that he and his men be officially recog- 
nized, and might receive protection which 
would be accorded to Frenchmen, should 
they chance, in the fulfilment of their war- 
ring enterprises, to fall into the hands of 
the enemy. Fulton spent an unsuccessful 
summer in reconnoitering the coast, and 
96 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

apparently received no pecuniary reward 
for his dangerous labor, as he failed to 
overtake an English ship. 

Fulton continued his experiments with 
boats, upon and beneath the water, dur- 
ing the remainder of his stay in France. 
He openly demonstrated the principles of 
his inventions, and vainly offered them to 
the French Government. If Napoleon 
had been favorable to them, the history 
of Europe might have been changed. But 
Napoleon's scientific counselors had pro- 
nounced Fulton "a visionary" and his 
invention "a mad scheme" and "simple 
absurdity." 

ALARM OF THE BRITISH MINISTRY 

English statesmen were not unac- 
quainted with the development of Fulton's 
plans, and Lord Stanhope delivered to the 
97 



ROBERT FULTON 

House of Lords a message of warning. 
Barlow wrote to Fulton to acquaint him 
of the discussion, which terminated in 
September, 1803, in an invitation from the 
British Government to the inventor to 
display his torpedo contrivance. His note- 
book contains this entry: 

I agreed on certain conditions and Mr. Smith 1 
set off for London to give in my terms. I 
then met him in Amsterdam in December with 
the reply, which not being satisfactory, he re- 
turned to London with other proposals and I 
went on to Paris. 

Fulton wrote a careful explanation of 
his negotiations with the British Govern- 
ment—a folio of many pages- which is 
now in possession of his heirs. He entitled 
it "Submarine Navigation & Attack" and 
outlined its purpose as follows: 

1 A name assumed by Dr. Gregory, of England, emissary 
from the Government. 

98 



AND THE 'CLERMONT" 

"Reasons why I directed my attention 
to such inventions. 

"Negotiations with the British Govern- 
ment on this subject. 

"Description of the Engines & several 
modes of using them. 

"Reasoning on the consequences of such 
Inventions." 

Like all of Fulton's writings it is minute 
in detail, logical in construction and of 
convincing argument. He stated that his 
reason for the invention was "the possi- 
bility of destroying all military Marines 
and of giving liberty to the seas." He 
showed that Henry IV of France and 
the Abbe St. Pierre, with all their industry 
and influence, had endeavored in vain to 
form a congress which might decide on 
grievances. Therefore he sought for effi- 
cient means in the arts, where, after two 
years of study and experiment, he became 



ROBERT FULTON 

convinced of the utility of his torpedo 
project to accomplish the end of all war- 
fare. 

He outlined the plan to Lord Stanhope, 
who sounded the alarm in the House of 
Lords. In 1803 the Earl formed a com- 
mittee to learn of Fulton's progress in the 
invention, which reported to Lord Sid- 
mouth, then Premier of Parliament. The 
latter despatched a messenger 1 to Fulton, 
who was then in France, to invite him to 
return to England to communicate his tor- 
pedo plans to the British Government. 

Fulton framed proposals, and upon 
their ultimate acceptance was induced to 
leave France. This he did on April 29, 
1804, and reached London on the 19th of 
May. Lord Sidmouth had retired from 
office and Mr. Pitt was in power. When 
he viewed Fulton's sketch of an engine of 

*Dr. Gregory, alias "Mr. Smith." 

100 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

simple construction, easy application and 
powerful effect, the Prime Minister ob- 
served that if introduced into practice it 
would lead to the annihilation of all mili- 
tary marines. 

It was agreed that His Majesty's Dock 
Yard and Arsenals were to furnish neces- 
sary means to give efficacy to Fulton's 
plans, and a contract signed by Mr. Pitt 
and Lord Melville was drawn between the 
inventor and the British Government. 

By the terms of this bond, Fulton was 
to receive as an equivalent for his proposed 
mode of Submarine warfare a salary of 
two hundred pounds a month and one half 
the value of all vessels which might be 
destroyed by the new engine within four- 
teen years, the duration of the patent. It 
was further agreed that in case the Min- 
isters decided not to prosecute the plans, 
yet it should appear that by means of them 
101 



ROBERT FULTON 

the enemy's ships might be destroyed with 
greater ease than by any other mode of 
practice, the inventor should receive 
£40,000. 

Under these conditions Fulton entered 
upon the work which detained him in Eng- 
land for two years of test, explanation, 
and entreaty. Lord Melville retired from 
office, and the death of Pitt and sub- 
sequent change of the Ministry gradu- 
ally extinguished Fulton's hope of success. 
Finally in the autumn of 1806 the Govern- 
ment declined to adopt the invention, but 
fearing its power if turned against Eng- 
land, made overtures to Fulton to suppress 
the new mode of warfare. These offers 
Fulton summarily declined: and con- 
cluded his reply with these words: 

"At all events, whatever may be your 
reward, I will never consent to let these 
inventions lie dormant should my Country 
102 



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AND THE "CLERMONT" 

at any time have need of them. Were you 
to grant me an annuity of £20,000 a year, 
I would sacrifice all to the safety & inde- 
pendence of my Country. But I hope 
that England and America will under- 
stand their mutual Interest too well to 
War with each other And I have no desire 
to Introduce my Engines into practice 
for the benefit of any other Nation." 

In the following words, he reminded 
the British Ministry of his intent to return 
to America : 

"As I am bound in honor to Mr. Liv- 
ingston to put my steamboat in practice 
and such engine is of more immediate use 
to my Country than Submarine Naviga- 
tion, I wish to devote some years to it and 
should the British Government allow me 
an annuity I should not only do justice to 
my friends but it would enable me to carry 
my steamboat and other plans into effect 
105 



ROBERT FULTON 

for the good of my Country.— It has 
never been my intention to hide these In- 
ventions from the world on any considera- 
tion, on the contrary it has been my 
intention to make them public as soon as 
consistent with strict justice to all with 
whom I am concerned. For myself I have 
ever considered the interest of Amer- 
ica [n] free commerce, the interest of man- 
kind, the magnitude of the object in view 
and the rational reputation connected with 
it superior to all calculations of a pecu- 
niary kind." 

The terms of settlement, which were 
agreed by arbitration, are defined in Ful- 
ton's letter to Joel Barlow quoted later. 
He joyously accepted the release whereby 
he could take up the "several projects of 
sublimity" in his own country, and re- 
turned to his native land, from which he 
had been absent for twenty years. 
106 



PART III 

THE TRIAL BOAT ON THE 
SEINE 



THE evolution of navigation was al- 
most as gradual as the evolution of 
man. To deny the preliminary stages in 
either case would be equally futile. From 
the moment when primitive eyes witnessed 
the voyage of a sun-warped leaf upon a 
pool, the object-lessons of boating were 
discernible. Soon the hollow log became 
the prototype of the first canoe; later in- 
telligence built larger craft, with skins of 
slain beasts upheld to catch the propelling 
winds; after centuries of progress, per- 
fected sailing ships moved from conti- 
nental shore to shore. A study of history 
will reveal in the art of navigation, as in 
every other science, the clearly formu- 
lated ideas of successive progress. 
109 



ROBERT FULTON 

In the year 1807 it remained for Robert 
Fulton to arrive, after years of study and 
numberless tests, at the definite know- 
ledge of proper proportions, and to build 
the steamboat which successfully navi- 
gated and proved its utility upon the pic- 
turesque waters of the Hudson River. 
This happy combination of undaunted 
perseverance and achievement upon a scene 
of unrivaled beauty, with a group of his- 
toric witnesses, and Fulton's subsequent 
developments in the art of steam naviga- 
tion, combine to make the occasion worthy 
of national honor at the close of a century. 

It should be observed that the civilized 
world awaited the invention. In several 
countries inceptive attempts to solve the 
problem were manifest, and these are per- 
manently recorded in history. In Amer- 
ica John Fitch, William Henry, James 
Rumsey, and Edward West had experi- 
110 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

merited with varying degrees of success; 
in Scotland, as early as 1781, Symington 
and Bell had tried an experiment upon 
the waters of the Forth and Clyde Canal, 
and in the same year, in France, the 
Abbe Arnal propounded his theories. 
In 1795, as already stated, Earl Stanhope 
of England experimented with a web-foot 
paddle; in 1801, Hunter and Dickinson, 
his countrymen, attempted a trip upon the 
River Thames with a boat which proved 
a failure. Robert R. Livingston, who 
later was associated with Fulton as part- 
ner in the enterprise of the Clermont, had 
tried his hand at the venture, as had also 
Nicholas J. Roosevelt, who subsequently 
(1809) was employed by Livingston and 
Fulton to study the possibilities of navi- 
gation by steam upon the Mississippi and 
other important Western rivers. To this 
already long, though incomplete, list of 
111 



ROBERT FULTON 

sometime claimants for the honorable title 
of inventor may be added the names of 
William Longstreet, Samuel Morey, and 
John Stevens. Truly with Robert Fulton 
the "psychological moment' ' of demon- 
stration had arrived. 

But earlier than any of these essays to- 
ward the new art should be noted an ex- 
perimenter, John Allen, M.D., who in 
1730 mentioned a method of propelling a 
vessel by steam. He was a scientific Eng- 
lishman whose fondness for experiment 
led him to publish a paper entitled "Navi- 
gation in a Calm." The advance of 
the becalmed sailing ship could be ef- 
fected, he averred, "by the propulsion of 
water through an aperture in the stern of 
the vessel by pumps actuated by the labor 
of many men"; and he further suggested 
that "a fire-engine [evidently Newco- 
men's atmospheric steam-engine, patented 
112 




ROBERT FULTON 

From the pencil drawing: by John Vanderlyn. Executed by Vanderlyn at Joel Barlow's 

house in Paris, 50 rue Vaug-irard, where Fulton was living 1797-1804. 

Owned by Judg-e Peter T. Barlow. 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

1705] with its furniture should be put on 
board a 70-gun ship having on board a 
'Pneumatick engine' above described, with 
two 7 foot cylinders and their pistons,— 
the force, being equivalent to the labor of 
ninety or one hundred men, would drive a 
ship of twelve or fourteen tons at the rate 
of three knots an hour." 1 

These experiments are all links in an 
interesting chain which successively led to 
the perfecting of the first steamboat built 
by Robert Fulton. 

It is important to emphasize the fact 
that Fulton himself was fully cognizant 
of those earlier attempts ; indeed, he would 
have deprecated the inference that he had 
not duly profited by the prior experiments 
of other scientists. His generous mind 
sought for comradeship in the solution of 
the important problem. In his hitherto 

1 Eliot Hodgkin (F. S. A) in "Rariora." 

7 115 



ROBERT FULTON 

unpublished "Notes for an Argument on 
Steam Boats, Should Argument Become 
Necessary" (in the possession of the estate 
of his daughter, Cornelia Livingston 
Crary), he distinctly states: 

It is now about thirty years since experi- 
ments commenced in Europe and America, with a 
view to move boats or vessels to advantage by 
the power of steam engines. All of which failed 
of any useful result. As a proof of this, there 
were nowhere, either in Europe or America, any 
kind of steamboat in actual operation when 
Messrs. Livingston and Fulton commenced their 
experiments upon the Seine near Paris in the 
year 1802. And the repeated failure of men of 
science, among whom were the ingenious Earl 
of Stanhope, gave an impression to the public 
mind both in Europe and America, that it was 
impracticable to make a useful steamboat, and 
under this belief those who attempted it were 
considered as visionaries or mad men. In this 
state of things Mr. Livingston, while in Paris 
in 1802, persuaded Mr. Fulton to make the at- 
tempt, and he, fortunately for our country, has 

116 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

succeeded. America therefore claims the honor 
of this important invention which may justly 
be considered an epoch in the useful arts, to 
the incalculable advantage of these young and 
rising states. 1 

A legal form of agreement was drawn 
by the two men, and signed at Paris, Octo- 
ber 10, 1802. It runs as follows: 

THE FULTON-LIVINGSTON PARTNERSHIPS 

Memorandum of an Agreement entered into 
this tenth day of October in the Year One 
Thousand Eight hundred and two, between 
Robert R. Livingston Esq., of the State of 
New York, and Robert Fulton of the State of 
Pennsylvania. 

Whereas the said Livingston and Fulton have 
for several years past separately tried various 
mechanical Combinations for the purpose of 
propelling boats and vessels by the power of 

x For Chancellor Livingston's account of the partnership, 
see Appendix, page 326. 

2 The original document is now in the possession of John 
Henry Livingston, Esq., of Clermont, by whose permission 
it is here first reproduced. 

117 



ROBERT FULTON 

Steam Engines, and conceiving that their ex- 
periments have demonstrated the possibility of 
success, they hereby agree to make an attempt 
to carry their invention into useful operation, 
And for that purpose enter into partnership on 
the following conditions: 

First: That a passage boat moved by the 
power of a Steam Engine shall be constructed 
at New York, for the purpose of navigating 
between New York and Albany, which boat 
shall not exceed 120 feet in length, 8 feet in 
width nor draw more than 15 inches water; 
that such boat shall be calculated on the experi- 
ments already made, with the view to run 8 
miles an hour in stagnate water and carry at 
least 60 passengers allowing 200 pounds weight 
to each passenger. 

Second: That a patent shall be taken in the 
United States of America in the name of said 
Fulton for a new mechanical combination of 
a boat to navigate by the power of a Steam 
Engine for which Patent the said Fulton shall 
deposit every necessary drawing, model, and 
specification, and when such patent is obtained, 
the property thereof shall be divided into One 
hundred shares, fifty of which shares shall be 
transferred to the said Livingston as his prop- 

118 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

erty, and fifty shares shall be held by the said 
Fulton as his property, and all emoluments 
arising from said Patent in America, or from 
any extension of said Patent, or for any Patent 
premium or privilege in any other Country 
shall be equally divided, one half to the said 
Livingston, and one half to the said Fulton. 

Third: That for the purpose of proving the 
utility of this invention by a fair experiment, 
the said Fulton agrees to go immediately to 
England, and there construct a boat and engine 
as near the dimensions and powers of the Steam 
Boat mentioned in Article the First as the 
Engine he may find will admit, which boat being 
for the purpose of experiment, it is presumed 
that a steam engine may be borrowed for that 
purpose; it is also estimated that if the experi- 
ment should not succeed, the loss on the dif- 
ferent parts of the machinery together with the 
expenses of the said Fulton will amount to 
Five Hundred Pounds sterling, which sum the 
said Livingston agrees to furnish at any time 
or times which the said Fulton may think 
proper to draw for the same. And the said 
Fulton binds himself to pay to the said Liv- 
ingston, one half of the expense which such 
experiment may cost, within two years from the 

119 



ROBERT FULTON 

abandoning said enterprise, with interest for 
the same at seven per cent per annum. But 
should the experiment succeed to the satisfac- 
tion of the here contracting parties, the first 
object shall be to obtain a Patent in America 
and establish a passage boat to run to and 
from New York and Albany which work the 
said Fulton agrees to superintend, during 
which time his reasonable expenses shall be es- 
timated as part of the general expenses of the 
establishment. 

Fourth: And when such boat shall be in com- 
plete activity and the principle of navigating 
by Steam fully established, each of the here con- 
tracting parties may dispose of any number of 
their shares, not exceeding forty shares, that 
they may think proper; but the purchasers of 
shares, or share holders shall have no voice or 
command in conducting the business of the con- 
cern ; but the number of boats, offices and agents 
shall be augmented or diminished as may be 
thought proper by the said Livingston and 
Fulton, nevertheless all augmentations and ex- 
penses shall be made out of the profits of the 
undertaking and not by a demand for advances 
on the part of shareholders, and the surplus 

120 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

profits shall be divided twice a year in propor- 
tion to the shares, for which purpose the share 
holders or their agents shall be at liberty to 
examine the books during the first week of May 
and the first week of October in each year: 

Fifth : And Whereas the duration of a Patent 
in the United States of America is for fourteen 
years, this partnership is made for fourteen 
years, or for any greater period to which the 
privilege in any of the American States can be 
extended, But at any period over fourteen 
years at which the Patent expires in America, 
the partnership shall cease also, And the whole 
stock of boats, warehouses or other property 
shall be considered the property of the share 
holders, who as a Company of proprietors will 
make such regulations as they think proper 
to govern their affairs, each share being a voice 
in such arrangement: 

Sixth: And it is further agreed that in case 
of the death of the said Livingston or Fulton 
within fourteen years, or before the termination 
of the period specified for the duration of the 
partnership, each heir or assign who holds at 
least twenty shares shall be considered as an 
active partner, with full power to act in place 

121 



ROBERT FULTON 

of the deceased, but as this arrangement may 
introduce two partners, Should two partners 
be introduced, the surviving primitive partner 
shall be considered equal to two voices, what- 
ever may be the number of shares which he at 
such time may possess : 

Seventh: And it is hereby agreed that the 
said Livingston may withdraw from this enter- 
prise at any period he thinks proper, after the 
Five Hundred Pounds before mentioned shall 
be expended in the first experiment, but until 
he signifies to the said Fulton in writing, his 
determination to decline any further pursuit of 
the experiment he shall be considered as a part- 
ner in the undertaking. 

( <T rl\ $ Robert R. Livingston (LS) 
I Robert Fueton. (LS) 

Witnessed by 
(Signed) Robert L. Livingston. 



The same terms were accepted in the 
letter written, in 1814, by the chancellor's 
heirs, wherein they affirm that "they will 
122 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

always be ready and willing to comply 
with the Articles of Agreement entered 
into and executed by you [Robert Ful- 
ton] and the Honble. Robert R. Living- 
ston." The chancellor left no son, and the 
paper is signed, "Robert L. Livingston 
and Edward P. Livingston." 

A complete description of Fulton's trial 
boat on the Seine is contained in an inter- 
esting paper in present possession of the 
Hon. Peter Barlow, of New York, who 
inherited the family papers of his famous 
kinsman, Joel Barlow, former minister to 
France. The paper was prepared for Bar- 
low's signature by Fulton himself, in the 
year 1811. When rival companies threat- 
ened to invade the patent rights of Fulton 
and Livingston, Fulton writes to Barlow: 

I want your deposition as follows : 

Joel Barlow of the City of Washington, dis- 
trict of Columbia, being duly sworn on the Holy 

123 



ROBERT FULTON 

Evangelists of Almighty God, deposeth and 
saith: That in the year of our Lord, 1802, 
Robert Fulton at that time residing in said 
Barlow's house in Paris, did commence experi- 
ments with a view to discover the principles on 
which boats or vessels should be propelled 
through the water by the power of Steam en- 
gines, — that having made various experiments 
on a model about 4 feet long and 12 inches 
wide, which was worked by two Strong clock 
springs to ascertain the best mode of taking the 
purchase, whether by paddles, skulls, endless 
chains, or water wheels, he about Christmass 
1802 gave the preference to a wheel on each 
side of the model, — and in the spring of 1803, 
in partnership with Robert R. Livingston, our 
then resident minister in France, did build a 
boat 70 French feet long, 8 French feet wide, 
3 French feet deep, in which he placed a Steam 
engine of about 8 horses power, which was 
hired of Mr. Perrier for the experiment on this 
large scale, with the engine in the boat and one 
water wheel of about 12 feet diameter on each 
side of the boat, the power from the engine 
being communicated to the wheels by mechan- 
ical combinations which I do not recollect. In 

124 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

July 1803 an experiment was made by the said 
Robert Fulton on the River Seine between the 
Pont Revolution and the Barrier de Chaleot 
[sic] in presence of a great number of people, 
and particularly Messrs. Volney, Carnot, 
Bossu and Proney, who were members of the 
National Institute appointed to examine the 
machinery. The speed of said boat on Still 
water was three miles and a quarter an hour, 
and on this velocity and the power of the engine 
I recollect that the said Robert Fulton, formed 
tables of resistances, powers and proportions, 
which he then shewed me and which he said 
should govern the construction of steamboats 
designed to run from 2 to 5% or 6 miles an 
hour. I well recollect having mentioned to 
him that previous to the experiment on the large 
boat he had estimated a boat to be driven 16 
or 24 miles an hour by the power of steam and 
his answer was that by the experiments he 
found so much power was lost in taking the 
purchase on the water that he was of opinion 
5 or 5% to 6 miles an hour in still water was 
as much as a boat could be propelled by any 
steam engine now known. In April 1804 the 
said Robert Fulton left my house for London: 

125 



ROBERT FULTON 

while in England he purchased an engine of 
Messrs. Boulton and Watt which was shipped 
for New York while I was in London, and which 
as he has informed me is in the first boat that he 
built on Hudson's River, and which as he says 
drove the boat with the velocity which he had 
previously calculated it had the power of 
doing. 

During my residence in Paris from the year 
[date not given] to 1804, I never heard of any 
other experiments on the Seine, to move boats 
by steam except the one made by the said R. 
Fulton. Previous to the year | | there 

was a project by Mr. Rumsey & one by fitch to 
establish steamboats on the Seine, but they were 
only projects which were never executed. A 
Frenchman of the name of Le Blanc, as I have 
been informed, made in 1803 some experiments 
on the Rhoan to navigate boats by steam which 
failed. 

This document, in Fulton's own pen- 
manship, is particularly important because 
it outlines his two experiments and gives 
some details never before known — first, 
that the engine for the experimental boat 
126 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

on the Seine was hired from M. Perrier, 
who in 1774 built a vessel, and made an 
unsuccessful trial with steam-power on the 
Seine. He was probably the same man to 
whom Barlow refers in a letter, dated 
1802, where he suggests that Fulton can 
try "relative velocities in Perrier's pond on 
the hill." In the same letter Barlow says: 

If your mind is satisfied perhaps it is not 
worth while, as Livingston seems to be satisfied 
with this part of the business. . . . He talked 
of forming a company etc. I wish that Parker 
or I had the money instead of him, tho' his in- 
fluence in the State of New York would be 
energetic. 

Other important facts set down in Bar- 
low's deposition are Fulton's doubt about 
a possible attainment of speed, after his 
first disappointment, and the exact dimen- 
sions of the trial boat on the Seine. 

In 1802, Fulton viewed the patent of 
M. Des Blanc, to which he refers in the 
127 



ROBERT FULTON 

foregoing statement, and described his un- 
satisfactory impressions in his note-book, 
hitherto unpublished and now in posses- 
sion of the estate of Cornelia Livingston 
Crary. He concluded, after he had in- 
scribed a series of drawings and descrip- 
tive text, that two thirds of the steam- 
power which the Frenchman sought to 
apply to propulsion would be lost. 1 

Fulton also dismissed the possibility of 
Rumsey's device, and all others which had 
preceded his own. His biographer, Col- 
den, writes that Rumsey had seen the fail- 
ure of Fitch's enterprise, but Fulton 
"after a variety of calculations came to an 
opinion that this [Rumsey's] was the 
worst of all the methods which had been 
proposed." 2 

1 See Appendix, page 328. 

2 Fitch drew water in through the bow, and forced it out 
through the stern. His boat, the prototype of Rumsey's, 
was ridiculed — his shareholders withdrew, one by one, from 

128 



AND THE 'CLERMONT" 

As early as 1793, in a letter to Earl 
Stanhope, previously mentioned, Fulton 
defined his project to invent a new process 
of steam navigation. This highly impor- 
tant letter, never before published, is here 
presented through the personal courtesy 
of the present Earl of Stanhope, owner of 
the Fulton- Stanhope correspondence; two 
drawings are included, from Fulton's 
originals. 

My Lord: 

I extremely regret not having received your 
Lordship's letter in time to have the pleasure 
of an interview at Exeter as a Mechanical con- 
versation with your Lordship would have been 
infinitely interesting to a young man. To atone 
for such loss and conform with your Lordship's 

the Company, and Fitch in disappointment laid aside his 
boat in 1792. Rumsey's idea of propulsion was by means 
of a water pump, worked by a steam engine, which forced 
water through a channel from the bow and out at the stern, 
beneath the rudder. The impetus of the water, as it was 
forced through a square pipe, acted as an impelling power. 

129 



ROBERT FULTON 

wish I have made some slight drawings descrip- 
tive of my Ideas on the Subject of the steam- 
ship which I submit with diffidence to your 
Lordship. In June '93 I begun the experiments 
on the steam ship: my first design was to imi- 
tate the spring in the tail of a Salmon, — for 
this purpose I supposed a large bow to be 
wound up by the steam engine and the collected 
force attached to the end of a paddle as in No. 
1 to be let off which would urge the Vessel for- 
ward. This model I have had made of which 
No. 1 is the exact representation and I found 
it to spring forward in proportion to the 
strength of the bow, About 20 yards, but by the 
return of the paddle the continuity of the 
motion would be stoped. I then endeavoured 
to give it a circular motion which I effected 
by applying two paddles on an axis: then the 
boat moved by jerks. There was too great a 
space between the strokes ; I then applied three 
paddles forming an equilateral triangle to which 
I gave a circular motion by winding up the bow. 
I then found it to move in a gradual and even 
motion 100 yards with the same bow which be- 
fore drove it but 20 yards. 

No. 2 is the figure of my present model, on 

130 



N°l 









N?2 





FULTON'S FIRST PLAN FOR STEAM NAVIGATION 

Made in 1793, fourteen years before the launching- of the Clermont. Now first published. 

These drawings were sent by Fulton to the Right Honorable the Earl of Stanhope in 

November, 1793. This reproduction is from a copy in water-color sent to the 

author by the present earl. (See Fulton's letter, pages 129-134.) 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

which there are two equilateral triangles, one 
on each side of the boat acting on the same 
shaft which crosses the Boat or Ship and turns 
with the triangles. This, my Lord, is the line 
of experiment which led me to the triangular 
paddles which at first sight will convey the Idea 
of a wheel or perpendicular oars which are no 
longer in the water than they are doing execu- 
tion. I have found by repeated experiment 
that three or six answer better than any other 
number as they do not counteract each other. 
By being hung a little above the water it allows 
a short space from the delivery of one to the 
entrance of the other, it likewise enters the 
water more on a perpendicular as the dotted 
lines will shew its situation when it enters and 
when it is covered the circular dots exhibit its 
passage through the water. Your Lordship 
will please to observe in the small wheel with a 
number of paddles A. B. C. and D. strike almost 
flat in the water and rise in the same situation 
whilst E. is the only one that pulls, the others 
act against it which renders the purchase fruit- 
less ; while E. is urging the Ship forwards B. A. 
is pressing her into the water and C. D. is pull- 
ing her out, but remove all the paddles except 

8 133 



ROBERT FULTON 

E and she moves on in a direct line. The per- 
pendicular triangular Paddles are supposed to 
be placed in a cast Iron wheel which should 
ever hang above the water, it will answer as 
a fly and brace to the perpendicular oars. This 
boat I have repeatedly let go and ever found 
her to move in a steady direction in proportion 
to the original purchase. With regard to the 
formation of ships moved by steam I have been 
of opinion that they should be long, narrow 
and flat at bottom, with a broad keel as a flat 
Vessel will not occupy so much space in the 
water; it consequently has not so much resis- 
tance. A letter containing your Lordship's 
opinion of this mode of gaining a purchase on 
the water and directed for me at the postoffice, 
Exeter, will much oblige your Lordship's most 

obedient and 

Very humble servant, 

Robert Fulton. 

Torquay, November 4th, 
1793. 

The Right Honorable 

The Earl of Stanhope. 



134 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

The foregoing letter provides valuable 
historical proof of Fulton's early thought 
upon the problem which, fourteen years 
later, he carried to perfection, and of his 
individual conception of the theory of 
steam navigation; for he proposes an 
original method, unlike those preliminary 
experiments which he subsequently noted 
as inadequate. It is therefore evident that 
Fulton did not stumble by mere chance 
upon his formula of success. Numerous 
experiments preceded his ultimate discov- 
ery of proper proportions, which he tabu- 
lated in his "Tables of Resistance, " the 
formula mentioned in Barlow's deposition. 

One manuscript in possession of the 
Rev. Robert Fulton Crary, D.D., Ful- 
ton's grandson, to whom it was presented 
by his friend Philip Hamilton, Esq., son 
of Alexander Hamilton, describes with 
painstaking accuracy, in Fulton's own 
135 



ROBERT FULTON 

writing, no fewer than six experiments in 
which Fulton tested his discovery with 
varying degrees of success. The paper 
is dated "Paris, the 19 Nevose, Anno 
II. January the 9th, 1803 [sic]," and is 
entitled "Experiments on the model of a 
boat to be moved by a steam engine." 

A boat 3 feet long and 8 inches wide 
served as model. It was propelled by two 
strong clock springs, and Fulton made a 
comparative table to denote gradations 
in power, and the progressive distance 
gained in each test. He concluded that 
"large paddles would be unwieldy and in- 
convenient, hence for the large experi- 
ment it will be best to commence with 
paddles which present about twice the sur- 
face of the boat's bow reduced to flat re- 
sistance. . . . The power of the steam 
engine is 1500 pounds running two miles 
an hour, or equal to 3000 lb. running 1 
136 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

mile an hour. Thus the 3000 pounds 
ought to draw her 12 miles an hour." 

It will be noted that at this point Ful- 
ton felt himself master of the situation, 
and that, throughout all his manoeuvers, 
he contemplated the introduction of his 
patent in his native land is indisputably 
shown by many references. A sketch of a 
steamboat with two side paddles was 
made on June 5, 1802, while Fulton at 
Plombieres was experimenting with his 
submarine contrivances for the French 
government. It is entitled, "The Steam- 
boat from New York to Albany in 12 
hours," and is in the estate of Fulton's 
daughter, Cornelia Livingston Crary. As 
a preface to the detailed experiments which 
follow, Fulton asserted: 

Propelling a boat through water is the act 
of separating two bodies — the boat from its 
oars or paddles, or whatever else is applied — 

137 



ROBERT FULTON 

and this is governed by laws reducible to simple 
calculations. 



A number of pictured tests demonstrate 
his mode of application. Then he includes 
a description of the trial trip at Plom- 
bieres : 

The model being arranged a small rivulet 
was stopped so as to form a stagnant pond 66 
feet long, 9 or 10 feet wide and from 3 to 2 
feet deep at the upper end; thus prepared and 
with a good watch which beat the seconds, the 
experiments were commenced. 

Five detailed demonstrations follow, 
and Fulton says: 

As there is much space in this boat I will 
add to her velocity by making her go 12 miles 
an hour instead of 8 — the additional weight of 
this engine will be about 3 tons making in total 
21 tons, having 23 tons for passengers equal 
to 230 at 200 lbs for each this boat would make 
the voyage [from New York to Albany] in 14 

138 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

hours instead of 20 as there would be 6 hours 
saved in time it would merit a dollar extraor- 
dinary in the price. The expense of such a 
boat in coals and men would not be 25 dollars a 
day. Suppose then that the commerce between 
New York and Albany can give to such a boat 
150 passengers per day at S dollars each, the 
amount would be 450 dollars. Hence it seems 
advisible to go quick, carry cheap, and thus 
avoid the competition of boats with sails or 
carriages. 

These hitherto unpublished words con- 
tain the first recorded prophecy of the 
great Hudson River Day Line. 

Fulton's foresight extended farther 
even in that day of unrealized possibilities. 
His next record is a "Note on running 16 
miles an hour." This speed cannot be ac- 
complished in small boats, he decides : 

For great speed requires great power and a 
large and heavy engine. But suppose a boat 
12 feet wide and 200 feet long, drawing one 

139 



ROBERT FULTON 

foot of water. She would displace 2000 cube 
feet or 68 tons to drive such a boat 16 miles 
an hour will require 9216 lbs purchase. . . . 
Suppose 200 (passengers) at 3 dollars each or 
600 dollars — Such a boat would make the voy- 
age in 10 or 12 hours. In which time the 
Engine would not burn more than 3 tons of 
coals worth perhaps 15 dollars, expense of men 
perhaps 5 dollars, total 20. To go 16 miles 
the chains must run 24 miles or 36 feet a sec- 
ond. The engine makes 3 — the multiple then is 
12 to one. Here it is worthy of observation 
that as the boat and engine increases in size, the 
expense in proportion to their passengers is 
diminished in the first and small boat which 
carries only 50 persons their expense is 10 dol- 
lars. This is twenty cents each and the time 
20 hours. 

Second boat — 230 persons — the Voyage 14 
hours — the expense 25 dollars — this is about 

11 cents per person. 

In the third boat which goes the Voyage in 

12 hours and carries 380 persons, the expense, 
say 30 dollars, or 8 cents per person. The 
reason of this is the difference in the squares 
of the boats. A boat 6 feet wide and 90 feet 

140 



$oi*^ 







& 






^..^^xfcll 







H c*t>cfrt<fli.< ^il-csC^^^j 



«^X 



■_^ 



FULTON'S FIRST PROPHECY OF STEAM NAVIGATION OX THE HUDSON 

This sheet is the title-page of the inventor's note-book of his experiments. It is in the possession of the 
estate of Fulton's daughter, Cornelia Livingston Crary, and has never before been published. 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

long is only 14 tons whereas a boat 12 feet wide 
only twice the resistance of the first, will carry 
near 5 times the burden or 68 tons and instead 
of 50 will carry 380 persons which is 7 times 
the number and this enables one to add to the 
power and velocity of the engine yet carry 
cheaper than in the first case. 

Rob t . Fulton. 

It should be observed that these proph- 
ecies antedated the experiment which 
Fulton made, at a joint expense with 
Livingston, on the Seine in 1803. 1 Their 
trial boat was seventy feet long, eight 
feet wide, and of light draft. The hull 
proved too weak to bear the weight of the 
machinery, and the boat snapped in two 
and deposited the engine in the river-bed. 
The enterprise, because of this strange 
mishap, was viewed with public disfavor, 

X A receipt, signed by Fulton on 17 Ventose, An 11, 
shows that he had received from the Chancellor in nine 
payments, a total of 11,000 francs — the Chancellor's half- 
share of the expense. — In " The Livingstons of Callendar." 

143 



ROBERT FULTON 

and probably influenced the adverse de- 
cision of Napoleon's savants, who con- 
demned its utility. 

The preceding January, 1803, Fulton 
had formally offered his steamboat to the 
consideration of a Government commis- 
sion, and the First Consul appointed three 
members of the Institute to study its mer- 
its. Fulton's original letter, in French, is 
on file in the Conservatoire des Arts et 
Metiers in Paris, together with his accom- 
panying drawing. 1 

The unfortunate accident which post- 
poned the official trial trip from the 
early spring of 1803 to midsummer, 
brought to Fulton, according to his own 
confession, a despondency which he never 
felt on any other occasion of his life. 
After a restless night, he was precipitately 
visited by a messenger, who exclaimed : 

1 See Appendix, page 333. 

144 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

"Oh, sir, the boat has broken in pieces 
and gone to the bottom!" 

This disturbing news was literally true. 
Fulton rushed to the spot, and labored for 
twenty-four consecutive hours, without 
rest or refreshment, to raise the boat to 
the surface. The machinery was compar- 
atively uninjured, but the boat was so 
wrecked that it had to be virtually rebuilt. 
The imprudent exposure and the labors 
incident to the struggle for the recovery of 
the invention produced a permanent con- 
stitutional weakness of the lungs which 
resulted in Fulton's subsequent delicacy to 
the close of his life. The vivid description 
of the accident which Colden, Fulton's 
biographer, has given, is corroborated 
by Dr. Edward Everett Hale in his 
"Memories of a Hundred Years" through 
an interview with Edward Church, an 
American, who was with Fulton in 
145 



ROBERT FULTON 

France, and an eye-witness of the event. 
These records amply refute a rumor, cur- 
rent through Paris at the time, that Ful- 
ton himself had purposely sunk the boat 
because chagrined and disappointed by the 
continued inactivity and lack of apprecia- 
tion of the Napoleonic commission. 

The reconstruction of the boat occupied 
several months, and not until July was it 
again in readiness for the official demon- 
stration. Joel Barlow and Robert Fulton 
had a friend, Fulner Skipwith by name, 
who, during the preceding year of 1802, 
had written to Fulton asking the details of 
patent laws in France. Fulton wrote his 
reply from Paris, which is given in the 
Appendix. 

When the postponed trial trip was 

about to take place, Fulton wrote again to 

Mr. Skipwith, with whom his friendship 

had increased. Mr. Skipwith had been 

146 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

married in Paris, while Fulton was experi- 
menting upon the French coast, and in 
1802 his first child was born. Fulton's 
merry letter of invitation should be read 
in the light of this recent happy experi- 
ence to be fully understood: 1 

Paris, the 5th Thermidor, Anno 11 
(24 July, 1803) 
Mr. Skipwith, 

My dear friend, You have experienced all the 
anxiety of a fond father, on a child's coming 
into the world. So have I. The little cherub, 
now plump as a partridge, advances to the per- 
fection of her nature and each day presents 
some new charm. I wish mine may do the same. 
Some weeks hence, when you will be sitting in 
one corner of the room and Mrs. Skipwith in 
the other, learning the little creature to walk, 
the first unsteady step will scarcely balance the 
tottering frame ; but you will have the pleasing 
perspective of seeing it grow to a steady walk 
and then to dancing. I wish mine may do the 

1 Original in possession of C. H. Hart, of Philadelphia. 

147 



ROBERT FULTON 

same. My boy, who is all bones and corners, 
just like his daddy and whose birth has given 
me much uneasiness, or rather, anxiety, — is just 
learning to walk, and I hope in time he will be 
an active runner. I therefore have the honour 
to invite you and the ladies to see his first move- 
ments on Monday next from 6 till 9 in the eve- 
ning between the Barriere des Bons Hommes 
and the steam engine. May our children, my 
friend, be an honour to their country and a 
comfort to the gray hairs of their doting 

parents. 

Yours 

R. Fulton. 



The trial of the boat followed, and was 
accounted a success, although the desired 
speed was not attained. 

A contemporaneous account published 
in the "Recueil Poly technique des Ponts 
et Chaussees": Paris, 1803, was reprinted 
in "Cassier's Magazine," and may well 
be accorded prominence, as the best ac- 
count to be obtained : 
148 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

On the 21st Thermidor 1 a trial was made of 
a new invention of which the complete and bril- 
liant success should have important conse- 
quences for the commerce and internal naviga- 
tion of France. During the past two or three 
months there has been seen at the end of 
quay Chaillot, a boat of curious appearance, 
equipped with two large wheels, mounted on an 
axle like a chariot, while behind these wheels 
was a kind of large stove with a pipe, as if there 
were some kind of a small fire engine (pompe a 
feu) intended to operate the wheels of the boat. 
Several weeks ago some evil-minded persons 
threw this structure down. The builder, hav- 
ing repaired this damage, received, the day be- 
fore yesterday, a most flattering reward for 
his labour and talent. 

At six o'clock in the evening, aided by only 
three persons, he put his boat in motion with 
two other boats attached behind it, and for an 
hour and a half he produced the curious spec- 
tacle of a boat moved by wheels, like a chariot, 
these wheels being provided with paddles or 
flat plates, and being moved by a fire-engine. 

In following it along the quay, the speed 
1 August 9, 1803. 

149 



ROBERT FULTON 

against the current of the Seine appeared to us 
about that of a rapid pedestrian, that is, about 
2,400 toises 1 an hour ; while in going down- 
stream it was more rapid. It ascended and de- 
scended four times from Les Bons-Hommes as 
far as the pump of Chaillot ; it was manceuvered 
with facility, turning to the right and left, came 
to anchor, started again, and passed by the 
swimming school. 

One of the boats took to the quay a number 
of savants and representatives of the Institute, 
among whom were Citizens Bossut, Carnot, 
Prony, Perrier, Volney, etc. Doubtless they 
will make a report which will give to this dis- 
covery all the eclat which it merits ; for this 
mechanism, applied to our rivers, the Seine, 
the Loire, and the Rhone, will have most ad- 
vantageous consequences upon our internal 
navigation. The tows or barges which now re- 
quire four months to come from Nantes to 
Paris, would arrive promptly in ten to fifteen 
days. The author of this brilliant invention is 
M. Fulton, an American and a celebrated me- 
chanic. 

lr The toise was an old French measurement =6.395 Eng- 
lish feet. 

150 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

In this first success, Fulton was mindful 
of the needs and opportunities for steam 
navigation in America. To this end he 
wrote, during the same month, August, 
1803, to Boulton & Watt of England to 
order a steam-engine for a boat to be 
launched in America: 1 

Paris, 6th August, 1803. 
Gentlemen : 

If there is not a law which prohibits the ex- 
portation of steam engines to the United States 
of America, or if you can get a permit to ex- 
port parts of an engine, will you be so good 
as to make me a cylinder of 24 horse power 
double effect, the piston making a four foot 
stroke; also the piston and piston rod. 

The valves and movements for opening and 
shutting them. 

The air pump piston and rod. 

1 The letter, now in possession of George Tangye, Esq., 
of Birmingham, England, was recently appended to the 
presidential address of Mr. John Ward at the Session of the 
Institution of Engineers and Ship-Builders in Scotland. 

9 151 



ROBERT FULTON 

The condenser with its communications to 
the cylinder and air-pump. . . . etc. 

The other parts can be made in New York, 
and as it will save the expense of transport, 
and they require a particular arrangement 
which must be done while I am present, I prefer 
to have them done there. Therefore if it is 
permitted to export the above parts you will 
confer on me a great obligation by favoring 
me with them, and placing me the next on your 
list. . . . 

When finished please to pack them in such 
a manner as not to receive injury, and send them 
to the nearest port, which I suppose is Liver- 
pool, to be shipped to New York to the address 
of Brockhurst Livingston, Esq. The amount 
of the expenses will be placed to your order 
in the hands of George William Erving, Amer- 
ican Consul, Nicholas Lane, Lombard Street, 
No. 10, London. The situation for which this 
engine is designed, and the machinery which is 
to be combined with it, will not admit of placing 
the condenser under the cylinder as usual, but 
I hope the communicating tube to the condenser 
will not render the condensation less perfect 
or injure the making of the engine. 

152 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

Should you find a difficulty in getting a permit 
to export the parts above mentioned, I hope 
to be able to obtain it through our Minister, 
Mr. Monroe. And as there is some difficulty 
in passing letters to and from Paris and Bir-- 
mingham, which may lose much time, you will be 
so good as to furnish me the above parts as 
soon as possible without waiting to hear fur- 
ther from me. 

Please to write as soon as possible under 
cover to Mr. Erving as before mentioned. In 
which I beg you to answer the following ques- 
tions : 

What must be the size of the boiler for such 
an engine? 

How much space for the water and how much 
for the steam? What is the most improved 
method of making the boiler and economic mode 
of setting it? How many pounds of coal will 
such an engine require per hour, and what is 
the expense at Birmingham? 

Can you inform me what is the difference in 
heating with coals or wood, as in most cases 
wood must be used in America; and must not 
the furnace be made different when wood is to 
be used? 

153 



ROBERT FULTON 

What will be the consequences of condensing 
with water salt, as in places where the engine 
is to work the water is brackish? 

What will be the interior and exterior diame- 
ter of the cylinder and its length, and what 
will be the velocity of the piston per second? 
This information will enable me to combine the 
other parts of the machinery. 

When can the engine be finished, and how 
much will be the expense? Your favoring me 
with the execution of this order, and answering 
the above questions will much oblige 

Your most obedient servant, 

Robert Fulton. 
Rue Vaugirard, No. 50 Paris. 

Can the position and arrangement of the 
cylinder condenser and air-pump be adhered 
to as in the drawing, without injuring the work- 
ing of the engine? 

This is the first authentic order of the 
engine for the Clermont, but it was not 
the last, for the opposition which Fulton 
154 



AXD THE "CLERMONT" 

expected in gaining permission of trans- 
port was duly encountered. Boulton & 
Watt declined the order on October 4, 
1803, as they had been unable to obtain 
permission to forward the engine to 
America. The following month, Fulton's 
hope revived, and he wrote, as he had 
planned, to the Honorable James Monroe, 
who was at that time American minister 
at the Court of St. James. The letter is 
preserved at the Lenox Library, New 
York. 

Amsterdam, November 3rd, 1803. 

His Excellency James Monroe: 

Sir: You have perhaps heard of the suc- 
cess of my experiment for navigating boats by 
Steam Engines ; and you will feel the impor- 
tance of establishing such boats on the Missis- 
sippi and other rivers of the United States as 
soon as possible. With this view I have written 
to Messrs. Boulton & Watt of Birmingham, to 
forward me a steam engine to America. They 

155 



ROBERT FULTON 

answer that they cannot export the engine with- 
out the permission of Government. I therefore 
beg of you to apply to Government for permis- 
sion for you to ship a Steam Engine of a 24 
horse power to New York. It will be well to 
ask this permission for yourself without men- 
tioning my name, as I have reason to believe 
Government will not be much disposed to favour 
any wish of mine. 1 Messrs. Boulton has a 
House of Agency [in] London Street in the 
City, who will inform you what office to apply 
to. And Mr. Huntingdon, a young gentleman 
who left this [place] some days ago will call 
on you, or may be heard of at Mr. Erving's 
[American Consul] will go to the offices with 
your request and transact the business for me, 
but perhaps your best and shortest mode will 
be to apply direct to Lord Hawksbury. Your 
desire to see useful arts introduced or created 
in our country is the strongest reason for your 
urging the permission and accepting no refusal ; 
— the fact is I cannot establish the Boat with- 
out the engine. The question is then, — shall 

1 The British ministry were watching Fulton's offer to 
the French Government of the submarine vessel Nautilus 
(see page 79). 

156 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

we or shall we not have such boats? Please to 
write me under cover to Mr. Livingston as soon 
as possible the result of your application. . . . 

Robert Fulton. 

P. S. For greater safety I take the liberty to 
inclose in your letter one for Boulton & Watt, 
which you will be so good as to order into the 
Post Office, and when you obtain the permission 
send it directly to them. I should apologize 
for this trouble, but that I have no hope of 
success but through your goodness. 

The letter to Boulton & Watt was in- 
closed, but bears no mark of post. Per- 
haps Mr. Monroe decided that America 
did not want such boats, perhaps he hesi- 
tated to interfere in a matter where per- 
mission had already been refused to a 
young enthusiast. The letter to the en- 
gine-builders (which is in the Lenox Li- 
brary) briefly reiterated the former order. 

There is a strange pathos in the inex- 
157 



ROBERT FULTON, 

plicable delays which postponed the im- 
portant invention. Presumably Fulton 
had no reply from Mr. Monroe, for he 
wrote to him again, from Paris, Novem- 
ber 17 [1803], renewing his request. He 
says in part: 

I wrote you on the 3rd inst from Amsterdam, 
and two letters afterwards from Rotterdam on 
a subject which a good conveyance gives me an 
opportunity to repeat. Having succeeded in 
my experiment for navigating boats by steam, I 
wrote to Messrs Boulton, Watt & Company of 
Birmingham to forward me a steam engine to 
America. They write me in answer they can- 
not export the engine without the permission 
of Government, etc. 

No action followed, and Fulton, who 
had returned to England in May, 1804, 
made a personal attempt to gain the gov- 
ernmental permission of export. At the 
same time he was busy urging his torpedo 
158 



AND THE 'CLERMONT" 

project upon the British ministry; he 
tarried in London and spent his days in 
eager anticipation of the great decision. 
Barlow and his wife were en route to 
America after their long sojourn in 
France, where Fulton had for seven years 
shared their home. Fulton wrote for their 
passport through London, and took this, 
and every opportunity, to get the engine 
for the first steamboat in America : * 



London, Story Gate Coffee House, 
the 30th of May, 180£. 

Mr. Hammond will have the goodness to 
obtain from Government permission that Mr 
& Mrs Barlow may pass through London on 
their way to America, to which they purpose 
to sail in August, the object is to consult the 
London physicians on Mr. Barlow's health. 

1 His letter, which is in possession of the estate of Cornelia 
Livingston Crary, Robert Fulton's daughter, has never 
before been published. 

159 



ROBERT FULTON 

Whatever reasons Government might have to 
be displeased with Mr. Barlow, I am convinced 
that they will find no umbrage in his present 
sentiments and tranquil disposition. His late 
writings to prove the happy effects of British, 
in preference to French, colonization by ex- 

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATION ON FACING PAGE 

Below the title is printed the following: "Robert Fulton, 
Inventor of Steam Navigation, exhibiting his plans to Na- 
poleon Bonaparte, 'Great Man,' says Fulton, 'if you will 
give me your support to put these plans into execution, you 
can have the largest and most powerful Navy in the World.' 
This invention, however, appeared so extraordinary to Na- 
poleon at the time that he could not conceive it practicable; 
yet, from the forcible impression it made upon his mind, he 
deemed it expedient to lay the particulars before the Acad- 
emy of Sciences in Paris for their serious consideration. 
The following was the reply of the Academy of Sciences to 
Napoleon, ' Sire, we have effectively found a motive power 
in steam, but of a nature comparatively so feeble that a 
child's toy could hardly be put in motion by it.' Such was 
the reply of these sapient Academicians. Nor was it again 
until Napoleon beheld from St. Helena a steamship that he 
remembered the words of Fulton, and perceived how grossly 
the Academy of Sciences had been mistaken." 

The above indicates that the lithograph (made in Phila- 
delphia) was executed after the death of Napoleon in 1821. 
Fulton died four months before the battle of Waterloo. 
This picture, from the only copy known, is owned by Mrs. 
Hermann H. Cammann. 

160 



> — 

> - f r 




AND THE "CLERMONT" 

tending the arts, civilization and liberal ideas, 
are worthy your admiration. 

I also beg permission to ship one of Mr. 
Watt's Steam engines to New York for the pur- 
pose of carrying into effect an experiment in 
which I have fortunately succeeded, — that of 
navigating boats against currents of not more 
than 4 miles an hour, hence calculated for most 
of our rivers. Your Government must be sensi- 
ble that every improvement which may tend to 
augment the produce of industry in America, 
creates the means of paying for British manu- 
factures, increases the demand and adds to the 
wealth of England. The time will come when 
America alone will take more of your manufac- 
tures than you now diffuse over the whole globe, 
and is to give you a perspective of immense 
wealth, which it is your interest to nourish. 

I hope Government will see nothing impudent 
in these two requests. I shall esteem it a favor 
if they are granted. 

The letter to Mr. Erving, American 
Consul, is also on record. It was indorsed 
163 



ROBERT FULTON 

by Mr. Barlow, who aided Fulton at 
every turn. In February of 1804 he 
traveled to Birmingham to personally or- 
der the engine, and in January, 1805, 
made a payment of £548, English money, 
for it. But not until March was the ac- 
tual permission granted, when Fulton 
paid his treasury fee, £2, 14, 6, on receiv- 
ing permission to ship the engine to 
America. 

There is no doubt that Fulton contem- 
plated an early return to America, when 
he left France in 1804, but he was de- 
tained by the negotiations with the British 
Government which repeatedly buoyed him 
to expect an acceptance of his torpedo 
project. Four days after his arrival in 
England he wrote to Thomas Jefferson, 
then President of the United States, as 
follows : 



164 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

London, May the 23rd, 1804. 1 

His Excellency Thomas Jefferson: 

Sir: On arriving in England I find I shall be 
detained some weeks longer than I first calcu- 
lated. I therefore forward your letters com- 
mitted to my care in Paris. I am, Sir, with 
profound respect, 

Your most obedient, 

Robert Fulton. 

Successive disappointments ensued. 
Fulton, in touch with the English states- 
men of the day, continued as a neutral 
observer to study international conditions. 
Determined to return to America as soon 
as possible to establish his project of steam 
navigation, he was equally determined, if 
persuasion and demonstration would make 
it possible, to interest and engage the 
British navy in his torpedo proposition. 

1 From Jefferson Papers, Series 6, Vol. IX, No. 211. 
Library of Congress. 

165 



ROBERT FULTON 

Letters to many contemporary men of 
state show that the chief impulse of his 
mind was to establish his plan for univer- 
sal peace. 

Finally, in 1806, the British ministry 
rejected his project of the submarine tor- 
pedo. Fulton immediately set about to 
arrange his affairs for the return to Amer- 
ica. He wrote to Mr. Parker, a friend, 
during September, 1806: 



My dear Parker, 

On the 29th I sail for New York. Some 
time ago I begged of you to purchase any kind 
of American funds with the 1927£ in your 
hands, and to forward them to Gen'l Mason to 
be transferred into my name. You will have 
the goodness to do this as soon as possible, as 
I and my friend [Barlow] will need all our 
means to settle down comfortable. Believe me, 
my dear friend, how sincerely I love and esteem 
you and how much it would add to the pleasure 

166 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

of our Athenian Garden in America, to have 
you living on the margin of it. 

Truly 

R. F. 



Fulton's perplexities with the British 
ministry, great as they proved, were not 
the only affairs which engrossed his mind 
and delayed his return to America. Evi- 
dence is given in a letter from Joel Bar- 
low, who has been termed "an adopted 
father" in devotion to Fulton, that Fulton 
then contemplated marriage with an Eng- 
lish widow of large fortune. The letter, 
intimate and confidential, is a perfect ex- 
ample on Barlow's part of loyal friend- 
ship and affectionate counsel. It has never 
before been published, and extracts which 
seem to be of public interest are here 
given: 



167 



ROBERT FULTON 

Washington 3, March 1806. 
My very dear and excellent friend 

I write you with a heavy heart. Your letter 
of the 12th January came upon us like a ship- 
wreck. We see in it at least the wreck of our 
most brilliant projects of domestic happiness, 
if not of public usefulness. . . . We can say 
nothing to your proposal except that you ought 
by all means to pursue your own ideas of your 
own happiness, well weighed and well consid- 
ered. On this last clause I must offer a word, 
tho' it may probably come too late to be of any 
use, if indeed advice in such cases can in its 
nature, be of use. My friendship is unlimited 
and unabated, and I have no reason to doubt 
of the variety of excellence you find in the per- 
son you describe. But her education, habits, 
feelings, character and cast of mind are Eng- 
lish and London. And what is perhaps more 
unfortunate for you, she has a fortune. These 
things render it extremely improbable that she 
can be happy in this country. I should think 
it equally impossible that you can be very 
happy in that country. Your mind is Amer- 
ican, your services are wanted here. Your 

168 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

patriotism, your philanthropy, your ideas of 
public improvement, your wishes to be a com- 
fort to me and my wife in our declining years 
(if we should unluckily have many of them) 
would tend to make you uneasy at such a dis- 
tance from the theatre of so much good. . . . 

Oh, my estimable friend, my younger self, my 
expansion and prolongation of existence ! You 
cannot conceive the pain it gives me to com- 
municate these ideas. I was contemplating the 
pleasure I should have, among the other things, 
in getting forward and finishing the fine Scien- 
tific Poem of the Canal, of which you were to 
write the Geological and I the historical and 
mythological notes, — of which you were to fur- 
nish the philosophy and I the poetry, — you the 
ideas, and I the versification, — all of which we 
could only do together. Is the mighty fabric 
vanished? It seems forever gone. You have 
a more substantial happiness in view, at least, 
you think so, and who shall say the contrary. 
I cannot in friendship and conscience, advise 
you to give it up. 

As to fortune; I would rather take you with 
only what you now have, than with the largest 
in the world. Great expenses are great vexa- 

10 169 



ROBERT FULTON 

tions. My taste is so decided for simplicity 
and moderation, that it would spoil me, what- 
ever it did you, to be the slave of a splendid 
income. I hope the Fox Administration [then 
in consideration of Fulton's Torpedo Project] 
will settle with you liberally and let you off. 
And in your case, I would not demand a great 
sum, neither would I have it by way of annuity. 
But this affair must depend on your taste, and 
is perhaps an improper subject of advice. 

My heart is so full of these subjects that I 
cannot write upon any other by this occasion 
which is probably by the April packet from 
New York. 

Adieu, my excellent friend. 

[Joel Barlow.] 1 

It is not known how far the attachment 
had progressed. We only know that Ful- 
ton, unmarried, returned to America six 
months later and immediately engaged in 
great activity toward the development of 
his two inventions. 

1 Letter in possession of Judge Peter T. Barlow. 

170 




JOEL BARLOW 

Executed at the same time as the portrait of Fulton. Owned by Judge Peter T. Barlow. 
From the pencil drawing by John Vanderlyn 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

In September, 1806, Fulton had writ- 
ten to Mr. Barlow, who was then enjoy- 
ing the delights of his new country-place 
"Kalorama," near Washington, to which 
Fulton had previously alluded as "the 
Athenian Garden in America": 



My arbitration [with the British ministry] 
is finished, and I have been allowed the £10,000 
which I had received, with £5000 salary, total 
£15,000, though £1600 which I have received 
on settling accounts will just square all old 
debts and expenses in London and leave me 
about £200. My situation now is, my hands 
are free to burn, sink, and destroy whom I 
please, and I shall now seriously set about giv- 
ing liberty to the seas by publishing my system 
of attack. I have, or will have, when Mr. 
Parker sends my two thousand pounds, 500 
sterling a year, with a steam engine and pic- 
tures worth two thousand pounds. Therefore 
I am not in a state to be pitied. I am now busy 
winding up everything and will leave London 
about the 23rd inst. for Falmouth, from whence 

171 



ROBERT FULTON 

I shall sail in the packet the first week in Octo- 
ber, and be with you, I hope, in November, per- 
haps about the 14th, my birthday, so you must 
have a roast goose ready. Do not write me 
again after receiving this. The packet, being 
well manned and provided, will be more commo- 
dious and safe for an autumn passage, and I 
think that there will be little or no risk, yet 
accidents may happen, and that the produce of 
my studies and experience may not be lost to 
my country, I have made out a complete set of 
drawings and descriptions of my whole system 
of submarine attack, and another set of draw- 
ings with description of the steamboat. These, 
with my will, I shall put in a tin cylinder, 
sealed, and leave them in the care of General 
Lyman, not to be opened unless I am lost. 
Should such an event happen, I have left you 
the means to publish these works, with engrav- 
ings, in a handsome manner, and to which you 
will add your own ideas — showing how the 
liberty of the seas may be gained by such 
means, and, with such liberty, the immense ad- 
vantages to America and civilization: you will 
also show the necessity of perfecting and estab- 
lishing the steamboat and canals on the inclined 

172 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

plane principle. I have sent you three hundred 
complete sets of prints for the "Columbiad" 
by the Orb, directed to Mr. Tolman, New York, 
value £30. As the transport by land to Phila- 
delphia will not be much, I have sent them by 
this opportunity, that they may arrive before 
the law for prohibiting such things is in force, 
and that the shipment and risk may not ap- 
proach too near to winter. All my pictures, 
prints, and other things I mean to leave here, 
to be shipped in spring vessels, about April 
next, when the risk will be inconsiderable. How 
shall we manage this winter, as you must be in 
Philadelphia for the printing, and I want to be 
at New York to build my boat? I am in excel- 
lent health, never better, and good spirits. 
You know I cannot exist without a project or 
projects, and I have two or three of the first 
order of sublimity. As all your prints are 
soldered up I do not see how I can leave the 
number you desire with Phillips, [the London 
publisher] but as I leave the plates with Mr. 
West the necessary number can be struck off 
when the sheets arrive. We will talk of this 
in America. Mr. West has been retouching my 
pictures : they are charming. 

173 



ROBERT FULTON 

Fulton, upon his arrival in America, 
speedily joined Barlow in Kalorama, this 
delightful retreat which was termed the 
"Holland House of America"; Charles 
Burr Todd, Barlow's biographer, states 
that "Fulton lent his genius to the task of 
embellishing the house and grounds, there 
being in one of his letters of the period a 
drawing for a summer-house which he in- 
tends 'for the grounds of our mansion,' " 
as he called it. It is said that Fulton con- 
structed a model of the Clermont at Kalo- 
rama and tested its powers on the waters 
of Rock Creek. Be that as it may, we 
know that he contrived to gain inspiration 
from the bonds of closest affection with 
Barlow, who was a man of rare liberality 
of mind. 

Fulton's characteristic optimism was 
again speedily illustrated. With a sublime 
disregard for the fact that his torpedo 
174 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

project had been dismissed by two impor- 
tant governments, France and England, 
he immediately offered to America his 
plan for this destructive machine, designed 
to provide a weapon sufficiently strong, in 
the hands of a righteous nation, to main- 
tain universal peace. 

His offer was favorably considered by 
President Jefferson, and in the presence 
of Naval experts, Fulton publicly demon- 
strated its power by blowing up a brig in 
the harbor of New York, July 20, 1807, 
less than a month before the successful 
voyage of the Clermont. Subsequently 
(1814) Fulton was authorized by Con- 
gress to build the first steam war vessel of 
the world, the Demologus, also known as 
Fulton the First. 

Truly could Robert Fulton say that he 
had "two or three projects of the first 
order of sublimity." His area of useful- 
175 



ROBERT FULTON 

ness was as wide as the world; his theory 
of peace included all nations; and with 
true American spirit he illustrated,— by 
his advocacy and improvement of Canal 
Navigation, and by his inventions of the 
Submarine Torpedo and the Steamboat,— 
his great original motto, "The Liberty of 
the Seas will be the Happiness of the 
Earth." 



176 



PART IV 
THE "CLERMONT" 



AN adequate recital of Robert Fulton's 
-£*• achievements has never been written, 
nor can it be until some fellow-craftsman, 
having access to Fulton's papers, sets 
forth the technical progress of his inven- 
tive power, which successively produced a 
machine for cutting marble, a machine for 
spinning flax, the double inclined plane 
for canal navigation, a machine for twist- 
ing rope, an earth-scoop for canal and ir- 
rigation purposes, a cable-cutter, the first 
French panorama, the submarine torpedo 
boat, and several minor canal improve- 
ments, —all predecessors of his greatest 
invention, the steamboat. 

When to this creditable list is added a 
179 



ROBERT FULTON 

record of his numerous paintings ! and 
miniatures, and his far-sighted writings, 
"A Treatise on Canal Navigation," "Tor- 
pedo Warfare," his "Essay to the Friends 
of Mankind," and his "Submarine Navi- 
gation," and another essay entitled 
"Thoughts on Free Trade," a cause for 
which he was an ardent advocate, and 
when it is remembered that he died at the 
age of fifty, there comes a sense of wonder 
that so short a working span could yield 
products so many and so diverse. 

Washington Irving, in the zenith of his 
fame, was asked by members of Fulton's 
family to write a biography of the in- 
ventor. After a tentative endeavor Mr. 
Irving gave up the undertaking. In 1878 
a subsequent biographer, J. F. Reigart, 
in a hitherto unpublished letter to Fulton's 
grandson, the late Robert Fulton Blight, 

1 See Appendix, pages 354-356. 

180 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

recorded Irving as having said that "Ful- 
ton's works were already immortal monu- 
ments upon the waters of the globe, and 
ornamented every city and public road 
of the land. He could not possibly pro- 
cure correct drawings or illustrations of 
Fulton's mechanical inventions, and if he 
did, he had not the ability to specify or 
describe them; and to write a grand 
eulogy or literary essay would not be a 
correct biography of the greatest of in- 
ventors." 

A similar deterrent prevented his 
daughter from accomplishing a like desire. 
Cadwallader Colden, who wrote a life of 
Fulton, stated that the inventor had in- 
tended to write an autobiography but was 
too occupied with scientific work. It has 
remained, therefore, at the close of a 
century, for his great-granddaughter, al- 
though less qualified than her predeces- 
181 



ROBERT FULTON 

sors, to take up the delayed work of 
transcribing his family papers and to ful- 
fil Barlow's prophecy made in 1800 that 
he "would take care that it [Fulton's 
patience] shall not be forgotten by the 
writer of your life, who I hope is not born 
yet." 

Upon his arrival in America from Eng- 
land in December, 1806, after a voyage of 
two months from Falmouth, Fulton im- 
mediately devoted himself to his several 
projects. The winter was passed in the 
construction of the American boat, which 
he called the Clermont in gracious recog- 
nition of the hospitality which he had 
enjoyed at Chancellor Livingston's coun- 
try-place of that name on the Hudson. 
He engaged Charles Brownne, a ship- 
builder of note, whose yards were at 
Corlear's Hook on the East River, to con- 
struct the hull. Already Fulton had ex- 
182 




CHANCELLOR ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON 

From the painting by Gilbert Stuart, dated 1795. Owned by John H. Livingston, 
Tivoli, New York 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

pended a considerable sum of money 
upon the project, for we find in his note- 
book 1 the following items: 

February 5, 1804 

Travelling from London to 
Birmingham and back again to 
order the steam engine . . . £8 — 0-0 

Jan. 21, 1805 

To Messrs. Boulton Watt & 
Co. for cylinder and parts of 
the engine £548-0-0 

March 18, 1805 

To Messrs. Cave & Son, for 
Copper Boiler weighing 4,399 
lbs at 2s. 2d. the lb. ... £476 - 11 - 2 

March, 1805 

Fee at the Treasury on receiv- 
ing permission to ship the En- 
gine for America . . . . £2 — 14 — 6 

1 In possession of Robert Fulton Ludlow. 

185 



ROBERT FULTON 

The entry relative to the copper for the 
boiler refutes the legend, once current, 
that the boiler of the Clermont was made 
from copper pennies melted down. Early- 
coins were worth their face value as metal, 
and collectors suppose that the rarity of 
certain issues of currency is due to the fact 
that the easiest and least costly way to 
procure copper, when the metal was 
needed for useful devices, was to melt 
coins. The story apparently arose from 
the extreme rarity of copper cents of the 
coinages of 1799-1804. 

It has been asserted that the engine, 
after its arrival from Birmingham, lay for 
six months in charge of the New York 
Custom House before Fulton could raise 
the money to pay the duties, but the cause 
of delay may have arisen from the fact 
that the boat was not ready to receive the 
machinery. Finally it was stored at a 
186 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

Mr. Barker's warehouse, for we find an 
entry in Fulton's account book, on April 
23, 1807, of £5 "to the carriage of the en- 
gine from Mr. Barker's to the Boat." It 
is not known at what date the engine ar- 
rived in America, but it was in Mr. Bar- 
ker's warehouse on South Street for several 
months prior to its erection in the boat. 
From the grandchildren of Mr. Barker's 
daughter, Mrs. Hunt of New Orleans, it 
is learned that Fulton invited Mr. Barker 
to accompany him on the first trip of the 
Clermont , and that Mr. Barker not only 
enjoyed the novel sensation but secured 
permission to take with him his little 
daughter Sarah, who ever after remem- 
bered her delight over the strange adven- 
ture. It is said that she was so tiny that 
she sat upon a plank stretched across the 
stern of the boat. 



ii 



187 



ROBERT FULTON 



"fulton's folly' 



Pbior to the completion of the Clermont, 
a throng of idle-minded men congregated 
in the vicinity, called it "Fulton's Folly" 
and scoffed at its possibilities. The actual 
safety of the invention was seriously 
menaced by this lawless throng and by the 
careless piloting of sloops in the slip. 
After one threatened mishap, Fulton 
found it necessary to guard the boat. On 
June 7, he paid "$4.00 to the men for 
guarding the boat two nights and a day 
after the vessel ran against her," and six 
days later "$20.00 Pay to the men who 
guard the boat." 

These are some of the other disburse- 
ments copied from the inventor's note- 
book: 

April 23, 1807, To John Cunningham, 
for planks for fly and 
wheel spokes . . 

188 



AND THE 'CLERMONT" 

May the 7, To Mr. Jackson for sheet 

iron for the chimney . . $26.25 

May 15, To Mr. Brownne .... 400.00 

June 3, To Mr. Maxwell, for work 

done to Boiler 200.00 

June 8, To a wooden pump, Thomas 

Smith 7.71 

June 16, To plank for the bottom of 

the boat 15.00 

June 18, To Mr. Martin, Brass Founder 50.00 

Pair of Sweeps 4.00 

To Peter Coruth, for iron 
braces for the boiler . . . 22.00 

June 8, Chaldron of Coal .... 100.00 

June 26, To Mr. Brownne, for work- 
men's wages 30.00 

Aug. 1, To a stone float in the boiler 1.75 

Aug. 10, Mr. Cunningham, for hickory 

plank 8.38 

James Trie, final settlement 10.00 

Other interesting expenditures for the 
fittings of the Clermont follow: 

Aug. 10, To a North River man for 

the loan of an anchor . . 2.00 
Iron monger's bill .... 10.60 

189 



ROBERT FULTON 

Dishes and plates .... $4.00 

Aug. 12, Water Casks 3.00 

Aug. 15, Wine, sugar, brandy . . . 3.00 

Mr. Johnson, the Mason . . 40.00 
Mr. Brownne, (the Ship 

Builder) 50.00 



FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES 

Only a few weeks before the completion 
of the boat the funds provided by Living- 
ston and Fulton threatened to become 
exhausted and they invited a third party 
to join the enterprise but no one was 
found who was sufficiently convinced of 
the utility of the plan, and they remained 
alone in the proprietorship. Fulton has 
left a record of a previous attempt to ob- 
tain cooperation. He says: "In 1806 
Messrs. Livingston and Fulton offered to 
take Mr. Stevens in as a partner. He re- 
fused, asserting that Mr. Fulton's plan 
190 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

could not succeed." This was Mr. John 
Stevens, brother-in-law of Chancellor 
Livingston, who afterward built the Phe- 
nix, a steamboat for the Delaware River. 

At a special crisis when $1000 was im- 
peratively needed Fulton spent an eve- 
ning in a vain attempt to convince an 
intimate friend of the practicability of his 
invention. The next morning he repeated 
his persuasions and the friend agreed to 
advance one hundred dollars with the 
proviso that Fulton should induce others 
of his friends to subscribe the remaining 
nine hundred. After great difficulty 
the inventor succeeded in obtaining the 
amount but only on the promise that the 
names of the subscribers should be kept 
secret, as they feared that their folly 
would become a matter of public ridi- 
cule. 

Fulton's own description of the Cler- 
191 



ROBERT FULTON 

mont is contained in a paper in possession 
of one of his heirs : 



fulton's own description of the 
clermont 



"My first steamboat on the Hudson's 
River was 150 feet long, 13 feet wide, 
drawing 2 ft. of water, bow and stern 60 
degrees: she displaced 36.40 cubic feet, 
equal 100 tons of water; her bow pre- 
sented 26 ft. to the water, plus and minus 
the resistance of 1 ft. running 4 miles an 
hour." ' 

1 In the "Nautical Gazette" the editor, Mr. Samuel 
Ward Stanton, gives the following additional details : 

" The bottom of the boat was formed of yellow pine plank 
1.5 in. thick, tongued and grooved, and set together with 
white lead. This bottom or platform was laid in a trans- 
verse platform and molded out with batten and nails. The 
shape of the bottom being thus formed, the floors of oak 
and spruce were placed across the bottom ; the spruce floors 
being 4x8 inches and 2 feet apart. The oak floors were 
reserved for the ends, and were both sided and molded 
8 inches. Her top timbers (which were of spruce and ex- 

192 






> V, 

D C 

o r 

r h 

w o 

ui Z 



2 ° 
o 



H 13 

Fn *> 



^ 



35 



ft * * m f 













j 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

Fulton did not take out a patent for his 
steamboat until February, 1809, and his 
second patent was secured October 2, 
1810. 1 

COMMERCIAL SUCCESS OF THE CLERMONT 

The commercial success which the Cler- 
mont attained led, within a few months, to 
the necessity of its enlargement and devel- 
opment, and this reconstruction obscured 
the knowledge of the initial plans for the 
first American boat, which until recently 
have been considered lost. A highly 
important discovery of four folios of Ful- 
ton's original drawings, at the New Jer- 
sey Historical Society, presented about 
thirty years ago by the late Solomon 

tended from a log that formed the bridge to the deck) were 
sided 6 inches and molded at heel, and both sided and 
molded 4 inches at the head. She had no guards when 
first built and was steered by a tiller. Her draft of water 
was 28 inches." 

!See Appendix, pages 338, 339. 

195 



ROBERT FULTON 

Alossen, a Hollander, who had a fondness 
for collecting historical data, has brought 
to light two of Fulton's original drawings 
of 1806, and his plans which shortly fol- 
lowed, which are here reproduced for the 
first time by permission of the New Jer- 
sey Historical Society. 

The six plans here published have been 
submitted to Mr. Frank E. Kirby, the 
well-known naval architect, who drew the 
plans for the Hudson-Fulton Commis- 
sion's facsimile of the Clermont, and also 
designed the Hendrick Hudson, and 
many other large vessels. Mr. Kirby has 
identified these plans and given them the 
titles used herewith. He says: "The dis- 
covery of these plans of Robert Fulton's 
is the most important addition to the 
authentic history of early steam naviga- 
tion." 

Upon Sunday, the 9th of August, 
196 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

1807, Fulton primarily tested the capa- 
bilities of his new boat upon the East 
River, — a fact not generally known. He 
wrote an account of this experimental 
trip in a letter to the Chancellor; the fol- 
lowing important extracts are quoted 
from "The Livingstons of Callendar," 
privately printed by Clermont and E. 
Brockholst Livingston: 

"Yesterday about 12 o'clock I put the 
steamboat in motion first with a paddle 8 
inches broad 3 feet long, with which I ran 
about one mile up the East River against 
a tide of about one mile an hour, it being 
nearly high water. I then anchored and 
put on another paddle 8 inches wide 3 feet 
long, started again and then, according 
to my best observations, I went 3 miles an 
hour, that is two against a tide of one: 
another board of 8 inches was wanting, 
which had not been prepared, I therefore 
197 



ROBERT FULTON 

turned the boat and ran down with the 
tide— and turned her round neatly into 
the berth from which I parted. She an- 
swers the helm equal to any thing that 
ever was built, and I turned her twice 
in three times her own length. Much 
has been proved by this experiment. 
First that she will, when in complete or- 
der, run up to my full calculations. Sec- 
ond, that my axles, I believe, will be 
sufficiently strong to run the engine to her 
full power. Third, that she steers well, 
and can be turned with ease." And he 
jubilantly continues, after giving some 
further particulars concerning the work- 
ing of the engine, and some contemplated 
alterations to the paddles, "yesterday I 
beat all the sloops that were endeavoring 
to stem tide with the slight breeze which 
they had; had I hoisted my sails I conse- 
quently should have had all their means 
added to my own. Whatever may be the 
198 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

fate of steamboats for the Hudson, every- 
thing is completely proved for the Mis- 
sissippi, and the object is immense." In 
this letter he also mentions that he expects 
his contemplated "corrections, with the 
finishing of the cabins, will take me the 
whole week, and I shall start on Monday 
next at 4 miles an hour." 1 

There is an interesting chronological 
coincidence in the hitherto unnoted fact 
that Fulton had first tested his trial boat 
upon the Seine on the ninth day of Au- 
gust, 1803, exactly four years previous to 
his preliminary test of the Clermont upon 
the East River on the ninth day of 
August, 1807. It is to be wondered 
whether Fulton consciously kept this anni- 
versary, or did history, with its strange 
accuracy, again repeat itself ? 

1 The above letter, Robert Fulton to Robert R. Livingston, 
is dated New York, Monday the 10th of August, 1 807. Origi- 
nal letter in the possession of Clermont Livingston, Esq. 
This letter bears the New York postmark of same date. 

201 



ROBERT FULTON 

HISTORIC FIRST VOYAGE OF THE 
CLERMONT 

On August 17, 1807, the Clermont made 
its memorable first voyage up the Hud- 
son. At one o'clock the boat was loosed 
from its moorings at a dock on the 
North River near the State's Prison, 
Greenwich Village. 

Fulton's feelings at this crisis are set 
down in a letter to an unknown friend, 
quoted as part of a reminiscence by the 
late Judge Story in Sanders' early " His- 
tory of Schenectady," and secured by 
Mrs. Robert Fulton Blight from alleged 
original. 

My dear sir: 

The moment arrived Jn which the word was to 
be given for the boat to move. My friends 
were in groups on the deck. There was anxiety 
mixed with fear among them. They were 
silent, sad and weary. I read in their looks 

202 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

nothing but disaster, and almost repented of 
my efforts. The signal was given and the boat 
moved on a short distance and then stopped and 
became immovable. To the silence of the pre- 
ceding moment, now succeeded murmurs of 
discontent, and agitations, and whispers and 
shrugs. I could hear distinctly repeated — "I 
told you it was so; it is a foolish scheme: I 
wish we were well out of it." 

I elevated myself upon a platform and ad- 
dressed the assembly. I stated that I knew not 
what was the matter, but if they would be quiet 
and indulge me for half an hour, I would either 
go on or abandon the voyage for that time. 
This short respite was conceded without objec- 
tion. I went below and examined the ma- 
chinery, and discovered that the cause was a 
slight maladjustment of some of the work. In 
a short time it was obviated. The boat was 
again put in motion. She continued to move 
on. All were still incredulous. None seemed 
willing to trust the evidence of their own senses. 
We left the fair city of New York; we passed 
through the romantic and ever-varying scenery 
of the Highlands; we descried the clustering 
houses of Albany; we reached its shores, — and 

203 



ROBERT FULTON 

then, even then, when all seemed achieved, I was 
the victim of disappointment. 

Imagination superseded the influence of fact. 
It was then doubted if it could be done again, 
or if done, it was doubted if it could be made 
of any great value. Yours, 

R. Fulton. 

The Clermont was an odd craft. The 
machinery, placed in the center, was ex- 
posed to view and creaked ominously. Only 
the bow and stern were covered to form 
the cabins. The unprotected paddle-wheels 
swung ponderously at each side and 
splashed the water as they revolved. 
There were two masts, but no bowsprit, 
as sometimes pictured. The compass was 
rather rude but answered the purpose 
well, though the man at the tiller in the 
stern had difficulty in defining the course. 

After the first voyage Fulton recog- 
nized the misplacement of the tiller and 
204 




FULTON'S INKSTAND 
In possession of Alice Crary Sutcliffe 




ON THE CLFKMONT 



COMPASS USED BY PILOT ACKER 

In possession of Mr. Robert Fulton Ludlow 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

proposed an adjustment of guiding ropes 
from each side of the tiller to a forward 
wheel near the mainmast, and this altera- 
tion was made before the vessel passed 
into commercial service. There was no 
steam whistle, and upon the arrival of the 
boat at a wharf a horn was blown, and 
some of the crew set to work to carry 
enough wood on board to supply fuel to 
last until the next landing. 

Like the vessel itself the impression it 
made was unique. It was described as an 
"ungainly craft looking precisely like a 
backwoods saw-mill mounted on a scow 
and set on fire." It is easy to fancy the 
astonishment and alarm of the crews of 
the ordinary sailing boats of the river and 
of the dwellers in the towns along the 
shores. Some of the sailors, it is asserted, 
when they saw "this queer-looking sail- 
less thing" gaining upon them in spite of 
207 



ROBERT FULTON 

contrary wind and tide, actually aban- 
doned their vessels and took to the woods 
in fright. 

Others who saw the boat in the night 
described her as a "monster moving on the 
waters defying the winds and tide, and 
breathing flames and smoke." Some 
prostrated themselves and prayed a kind 
Providence for protection from the ap- 
proaches of the monster, which was march- 
ing on the waters and lighting its path- 
way with fire. 

It is easy in this day of full understand- 
ing to find amusement in their overwhelm- 
ing consternation, but the appearance of 
the boat must indeed have been terrific. 
The fuel used was pine wood, and when 
the fire was stirred by the engineer a 
galaxy of sparks ascended. No wonder 
that the quiet dwellers in the valley were 
frightened by the novel sight. 
208 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

Miss Helen Livingston, daughter of 
Gilbert It. Livingston, who with her sister 
Kate had been visiting "Liberty Hall" at 
Elizabethtown, New Jersey, the home of 
their cousin William Livingston, Gov- 
ernor of the State, had written at the con- 
clusion of her visit : 

"My dear mother will be glad to know 
that we are soon to return home. Cousin 
Chancellor has a wonderful new boat 
which is to make the voyage up the Hud- 
son some day soon. It will hold a good 
many passengers and he has, with his 
usual kindness, invited us to be of the 
party. He says it will be something to 
remember all our lives. He says we need 
not trouble ourselves about provisions, as 
his men will see to all that. In the mean 
time we are enjoying ourselves very much; 
everybody is so kind and cordial." 

Her recollections of the voyage were 

12 209 



ROBERT FULTON 

personally narrated to her granddaugh- 
ter, Helen Evertson Smith, who included 
them in an interesting article published in 
"The Century" for December, 1896. The 
guests of the occasion, who numbered 
about forty, included but few ladies. 
Among these were the two young sisters, 
Helen and Kate Livingston; their aunt, 
Mrs. Thomas Morris, daughter-in-law of 
Robert Morris, the financier of the Revo- 
lution ; one of the Chancellor's two daugh- 
ters; four of the many daughters of his 
brothers John R. and Colonel Harry Liv- 
ingston; and Miss Harriet Livingston, 
daughter of Mr. Walter Livingston, first 
custodian of the United States Treasury. 
Other passengers, besides Livingston 
and Fulton, were John R. Livingston and 
John Swift Livingston, and Doctor Mit- 
chell and Doctor McNeven, to whom 
Cadwallader Colden, who wrote a Life of 
210 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

Fulton, acknowledges his description of 
the voyage; the Dean of Ripon Cathedral, 
England, who was en route to visit the 
Chancellor, and Mr. Barker with his little 
daughter. 

Helen Livingston, whose girlish letter 
of invitation has been quoted and who 
later married William Mather Smith, con- 
fided to her granddaughter an intensely 
interesting fact which occurred on the sec- 
ond day of the progress up the river. Just 
before the boat was about to cast anchor 
off Clermont, the Chancellor announced 
the betrothal of Robert Fulton to his young 
kinswoman, Harriet Livingston, and 
made the prophecy that the "name of the 
inventor would descend to posterity as a 
benefactor to the world," and that it was 
not impossible that before the close of the 
present century, vessels might even be able 
to make the voyage to Europe without 
211 



ROBERT FULTON 

other motive power than steam. This 
hardy prediction was received with but 
moderate approval by any ; while smiles of 
incredulity were exchanged between those 
who were so placed that they could not be 
seen by the speechmaker or the inventor. 
John R. Livingston was heard to say, in 
an aside to his cousin John Swift Living- 
ston, that "Bob has had many a bee in his 
bonnet before now, but this steam folly 
will prove the worst yet!" 

An early newspaper clipping is author- 
ity for the statement that Fulton had 
previously asked the Chancellor, "Is it 
presumptuous in me to aspire to the hand 
of Miss Harriet Livingston?" "By no 
means," the distinguished Chancellor is 
said to have replied, "her father may 
object because you are a humble and 
poor inventor, and the family may object 
— but if Harriet does not object, — and she 
seems to have a world of good sense, — go 
212 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

ahead, and my best wishes and blessings 
go with you." 

Certainly that day was one of crowning 
glory in Fulton's life. He was now forty- 
two years old, and a prominent man upon 
both sides of the Atlantic, vouched for 
by Chancellor Livingston, who recognized 
the fine manhood and superior talents of 
the inventor, and who had in France 
known his prestige and popularity with 
Barlow and other men of distinction. It 
was natural that Harriet Livingston 
should return Fulton's regard by an 
estimate of his genius amounting to en- 
thusiasm. A contemporaneous writer de- 
scribed him thus : 

"Among a thousand individuals you 
might readily point out Robert Fulton. 
He was conspicuous for his gentle, manly 
bearing and freedom from embarrassment, 
for his extreme activity, his height, some- 
what over six feet,— his slender yet ener- 
213 



ROBERT FULTON 

getic form and well accommodated dress, 
for his full and curly dark brown hair, 
carelessly scattered over his forehead and 
falling around his neck. His complexion 
was fair, his forehead high, his eyes dark 
and penetrating and revolving in a capa- 
cious orbit of cavernous depths; his brow 
was thick and evinced strength and deter- 
mination; his nose was long and promi- 
nent, his mouth and lips were beautifully 
proportioned, giving the impress of 
eloquent utterance. Trifles were not cal- 
culated to impede him or damp his per- 
severance." 

Helen Livingston's estimate was no less 
complimentary : 

"There were many distinguished and 
fine-looking men on board the Clermont, 
but my grand-mother always described 
Robert Fulton as surpassing them all. 
'That son of a Pennsylvania farmer,' she 
was wont to say, 'was really a prince 
214 




MRS. WALTER LIVINGSTON (CORNELIA SCHUYLER), MOTHER OF MRS. ROBERT FULTON 

Original owned by Mrs. Hermann H. Cammann, granddaughter of Robert Fulton. This portrait, 

painted by Robert Fulton on a panel, bears on the reverse his unfinished portrait 

of his only son, Barlow Fulton. Now first published. 



fcwif 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

among men. He was as modest as he was 
great, and as handsome as he was modest. 
His eyes were glorious with love and 
genius.' "* 

Fulton himself, the central figure of con- 
gratulation, was happy beyond utterance. 

*In 1857, Paul A. Sabbaton, Fulton's later Chief Engi- 
neer, wrote to J. F. Reigart, biographer of Fulton : 

"I was so constantly with Mr. Fulton, saw him at his 
occupation, at his family fire-side, and in almost every situ- 
ation, that I have to this day a most distinct and strongly 
impressed likeness on my mind.— He had all the traits of 
a man with the gentleness of a child. I never heard him 
use ill words to any one of those employed under him no 
matter how strong the provocation might be, —and I do know 
there was enough of that at times ; and ever and anon my 
mind recurs to the times when his labours were so severe. 
His habit was, cane in hand, to walk up and down for 
hours. I see him now in my mind's eye, with his white, 
loosely-tied cravat, his waistcoat unbuttoned, his ruffles 
waving from side to side as his movements caused their 
movements ; he, all the while in deep thought, scarcely 
noticing anything passing him." 

The late J. B. Calhoun of Brooklyn, who was in Fulton's 
employ at the time of the latter's death in 1815, described 
Fulton as a tall, somewhat slender man, of fair, delicate 
complexion, of graceful, dignified bearing, and mild and 
gentle in his temper. He said : " His workmen were al- 
ways pleased to see him about his shops. With his rattan 
cane in hand, he always appeared to me a counterpart of 
an English nobleman." 

217 



ROBERT FULTON 

It was the supreme moment of his life. 
His bride-elect, Harriet Livingston, a 
beauty of the day, daughter of Walter 
Livingston and his wife, Cornelia Schuy- 
ler, was an accomplished harpist and 
sketched and painted with more than ordi- 
nary skill. Her father, by the will of his 
father, the last Lord of the Manor, had 
received as his portion of the famous estate, 
about 28,000 acres of ground, lying east 
of the Post Road. Upon a commanding 
elevation, between the " Klein" and "Roe- 
loff Jansen" Kills, Walter Livingston 
had built a massive and imposing mansion 
which he called "Teviotdale." This be- 
came the country-home of Fulton and his 
wife and frequent mention is made of it 
in family letters. 

It is impossible to overestimate the in- 
tensity of the suspense and interest of 
Fulton and his friends as the Clermont 
218 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

proceeded upon her voyage. The appre- 
hension of the incredulous was turned to 
joyous approval and wondering satisfac- 
tion. When the guests realized the safety 
and success of the invention, they were 
moved to merriment and broke into song. 
In the stern sat a throng of gaily dressed 
gentlemen and ladies, and as the boat 
moved through the glorious scenery of 
the Highlands some one struck up "Ye 
Banks and Braes o' Bonny Doon," said to 
have been Fulton's favorite song, appro- 
priate enough from the lips of the mem- 
bers of the Scottish Fulton and Livingston 
families upon America's most bonny river. 

Ye banks and braes o 5 bonny Doon 
How can ye bloom sae fresh and fair ; 

How can ye chant, ye little birds, 
And I sae weary fu' of care? 1 

l On the one-hundredth anniversary of steam naviga- 
tion, the same song was sung upon the ddbks of the great 

219 



ROBERT FULTON 

The invitations for the first voyage had 
been so quietly issued by Fulton and the 
Chancellor that the newspapers of the city, 
with but one exception, failed to refer to 
it. The "American Citizen" contained 
this brief notice : 

Mr. Fulton's Ingenious Steam Boat, invented 
with a view to the navigation of the Mississippi 
from New Orleans upward, sails today from 
the North River, near State's Prison, to Albany. 
The velocity of the Steamboat is calculated at 
four miles an hour. It is said it will make a 
progress of two against the current of the Mis- 
sissippi, and if so it will certainly be a very 
valuable acquisition to the commerce of West- 
ern States. 

The general impression of utility for the 
new invention was that the boat would 
prove an important factor upon the Mis- 
boats of the Hudson River Day Line, where several of Ful- 
ton's descendants, including the writer, were guests of 
honor. 

220 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

sissippi 1 and other western rivers, rather 
than upon the waters of the East. This is 
easily explained by the fact that the recent 
acquisition of Louisiana had turned public 
attention toward the necessity of exploit- 
ing and speedily improving the new terri- 
tory. Probably most of the citizens of 
New York thought themselves fortunately 
supplied by the hosts of Hudson River 
sloops for any needs of commerce or 
travel which might arise. But that Liv- 
ingston and Fulton, the proprietors of the 
new enterprise, realized a wider purpose 
for their new invention is shown by Ful- 
ton's letter to Barlow announcing his suc- 

1 Extract from a letter of Fulton to Barlow, April 19, 1812: 
"The Mississippi, as I before wrote you, is conquered; 
the steam boat which I have sent to trade between New 
Orleans and Natchez carried 1500 barrels = 150 tons from 
New Orleans to Natchez, against the current 313 miles in 
7 days, working in that time 84 hours. These are con- 
quests perhaps as valuable as those at Jena." [Napoleon's 
then recent victory.] 

221 



ROBERT FULTON 

cessful voyage (quoted later) and by 
his prompt formation of schemes of navi- 
gation upon far distant waters. 

Fulton himself, sensible of the recogni- 
tion of the one newspaper which had 
chronicled his departure, wrote a letter to 
the "American Citizen,' ' which practically 
contains "a sailor's log" of the first trip of 
the Clermont. 



New York, August 20. 

To the Editor of The American Citizen, 

Sir: 

I arrived this afternoon at 4 o'clock, [on] 
the steam boat from Albany. As the success 
of my experiment gives me great hope that such 
boats may be rendered of much importance to 
my country, to prevent erroneous opinions, and 
to give some satisfaction to the friends of use- 
ful improvements, you will have the goodness to 
publish the following statement of facts: 

I left New York on Monday at 1 o'clock, and 

222 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

arrived at Clermont, the seat of Chancellor 
Livingston, at 1 o'clock on Tuesday, time 24 
hours, distance 110 miles: On Wednesday I 
departed from the Chancellor's at 9 in the morn- 
ing, and arrived at Albany at 5 in the after- 
noon, distance 40 miles, time 8 hours ; the sum 
of this is 150 miles in 32 hours, equal near 5 
miles an hour. 

On Thursday at 9 o'clock in the morning I 
left Albany and arrived at the Chancellor's at 
6 in the evening; I started from thence at 7, 
and arrived at New York on Friday at 4 in the 
afternoon; time 30 hours, space run through 
150 miles, equal 5 miles an hour. Through- 
out the whole way my going and returning the 
wind was ahead; no advantage could be drawn 
from my sails — the whole has therefore been 
performed by the power of the steam engine. 
I am, Sir, 

Your most obedient, 

Robert Fulton. 



The Clermont continued all night upon 
the journey, for it will be noted that there 
223 



ROBERT FULTON 

was no deduction in time allowed in Ful- 
ton's calculation of the voyage between 
New York and Albany, except the one 
anchorage at Clermont where Chancellor 
Livingston and his guests, including Rob- 
ert Fulton, went on shore for the second 
night. The night of August 17th was 
spent by the company within such shelter 
as the boat could afford. Flickering can- 
dles gave scant illumination in the cabin. 
Probably there were improvised couches for 
the ladies of the party, but we know from 
Fulton's family note-book that the bedding 
for the boat was not purchased until the 
month of September, when it appears 
that he paid for it $80.75 to a Mr. Lym, 
and about the same time bought "knives 
and forks" for $5 from James Wood. 

The first captain of the Clermont, An- 
drew Brink by name, on the night of 
August 18th, after he had successfully 
224 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

landed the Chancellor's party upon the 
east bank, rowed across the river to his 
home, and brought back his wife that he 
might fulfil his promise to "take her to 
Albany on a boat driven by a tea-kettle." 

It is said that Fulton and Livingston 
first met Captain Brink during a voyage 
up the Hudson upon the North River 
sloop Maria, of which he was then in 
command. In the little cabin of this boat 
they discussed their plans for the Clermont 
and at the time promised to install this 
interested captain in their own new boat 
when the long-planned invention should be 
accomplished. 

The exact number of men employed on 
the Clermont is not actually known. In 
Fulton's account-book, under date of Sep- 
tember 20, 1807, we find a partial pay- 
roll: 



225 



ROBERT FULTON 

To Captain Brink 30 Dollars 

George, the Steward 10 " 

Paid Griffin, the Black Steward . 12 " 
Paid Richard Wilson, the Black 

Cook 10 " 

These sums undoubtedly represented 
the wages for the month which had elapsed 
since the first trip. There was also a white 
stewardess at this time, or at a later date, 
for a woman who lived at Highland Falls, 
New York, once sent an engraving of 
Robert Fulton to his grandson, Rev. Dr. 
Crary, with the message that her mother, 
who was stewardess on the Clermont, had 
cherished the picture of her employer for 
many years. 

The chief engineer on the first voyage 
was a Scotchman whose name is unknown. 
On the arrival of the boat in Albany it is 
said that he celebrated the event by a rous- 
ing "spree," so paralyzing his activities 
226 






AND THE "CLERMONT" 

that Mr. Fulton was obliged to discharge 
him and to promote a Mr. Dyke, assistant 
engineer, to the chief position. This Mr. 
Dyke, Charles by name, continued in Ful- 
ton's employ for many years, and when 
the Fulton Ferry to Brooklyn was estab- 
lished, Dyke was appointed by Fulton en- 
gineer of the first boat. 

FROM NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, VOL. III. 

"I vividly remember the starting of [the second ferry- 
boat] and a painful incident therewith connected. — The 
boat had made one or two trips — and was lying at the 
wharf at the foot of Beekman slip. Some derangement had 
taken place in the machinery, which the chief engineer was 
engaged in rectifying. When the machinery was set in 
motion it came in contact with the engineer, and mangled 
him in a manner that produced his death the next day. He 
was removed to the house adjacent to that of the writer, 
and well does he recall the conversation between Mr. Ful- 
ton and the attending surgeon in reference to the unfor- 
tunate man. — Mr. Fulton, much affected, remarked — 

" ' Sir, I will give all I am worth to save the life of that 
man.' 

" When told that his recovery was hopeless, he was per- 
fectly unmanned and wept like a child. It is here intro- 
duced as showing that while his own misfortunes never for a 
single moment disturbed his equanimity, the finer feelings of 
his nature were sensitively alive to the distresses of others." 

(Signed) N. B. B. 

is 227 



ROBERT FULTON 

An interesting contemporaneous ac- 
count was written by a Frenchman of note 
— M. Michaux, a distinguished botanist— 
who accompanied Fulton and Livingston 
upon the return trip from Albany. He 
arrived at Burlington on Lake Cham- 
plain, with his companion M. Parmentier, 
and thence went to Albany. M. Michaux 
writes : 1 

The relations, commercial and other, of all 
bonds between these cities are many and fre- 
quent. At this time decked sailing vessels ar- 
rived and departed every day with twenty-five 
or thirty passengers. The passage generally 
took 36 or 48 hours, according as the wind or 
tide were more or less favorable. 

We had been three days at Albany when the 
arrival from New York of a vessel propelled 
by steam was announced. This boat, which 
was decked, was about 25 metres (82 feet) 2 long 

1 Translated for the Journal of the Franklin Institute, 
Philadelphia. 

2 An evident error; the length of the vessel was 150 feet. 

228 




ROBERT FULTON 
From the painting by Benjamin West. Owned by R. F. Ludlow, Claverack, New York 



I 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

and was commanded by the inventor, Mr. 
Robert Fulton. Many of the inhabitants of the 
city and strangers who were there at the time 
went to visit it. Every one made his remarks 
upon the advantages consequent upon the new 
means of navigation, but also upon the serious 
accidents which might result from the explosion 
of the boiler. The vessel was lying alongside 
the wharf: a placard announced its return to 
New York for the next day but one, the 20th of 
August, and that it would take passengers at 
the same price as the sailing vessels — three 
dollars. 

So great was the fear of the explosion of the 
boiler that no one, except my companion and 
myself, dared to take passage in it for New 
York. We quitted Albany on the 20th of Au- 
gust in the presence of a great number of spec- 
tators. Chancellor Livingston, whom we sup- 
posed to be one of the promoters of this new 
way of navigating rivers, was the only stranger 
with us : he quitted the boat in the afternoon to 
go to his country residence which was upon the 
left bank of the river. From every point on the 
river whence the boat, announced by the smoke 
of its chimney, could be seen, we saw the in- 

231 



ROBERT FULTON 

habitants collect; they waved their handker- 
chiefs and hurrahed for Fulton, whose passage 
they had probably noticed as he ascended the 
river. 

We arrived the next day between one and two 
o'clock at New York. We separated from Mr. 
Fulton after paying him the price of our pas- 
sage. The day after our departure from Al- 
bany, and a few minutes after Chancellor Liv- 
ingston had quitted us, Mr. Fulton expressed 
his surprise that notwithstanding the number of 
persons who were going to New York, only two 
Frenchmen had the courage to embark with 
him. In the course of the conversation I in- 
formed him that M. Chaptal, then Minister of 
the Interior, had instructed me to examine the 
forests of America. ... It appears that, at 
this time, Mr. Fulton did not suspect that steam 
navigation might one day be applied to the 
sea. 

The following record of the passengers 
and their respective payments for convey- 
ance from Albany to New York was 
copied from the original "Captain's book," 
232 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

formerly in possession of Mr. Clermont 
Livingston. It is quoted in "The Living- 
stons of Callendar." 

List of passengers on board the North River 
Steamboat from Albany to New York, August 
SI, 1807: 

Dollars 

Captain Thomas Hunt 7 

Monsieur Parmentoo ) -~ 
Monsieur Mishaud J 

Mr. D. E. Tyle 6 

Captain Davies 1 

27 
Mr. Fulton 

Joel Barlow, then resident at Kalorama, 
his country-seat near Washington, re- 
ceived about this time the following inter- 
esting letter * from Fulton which elaborates 
the main points of his account forwarded 
to "The American Citizen." Fulton's 

1 "Life and Letters of Joel Barlow," by C. B. Todd. 

233 



ROBERT FULTON 

enthusiasm in the success of his project is 
strongly manifested and it will be noted 
that he was already confident that great 
future advantages to America would re- 
sult from the new invention : 

My steamboat voyage to Albany and back 
has turned out rather more favorably than I 
had calculated. The distance from New York 
to Albany is one hundred and fifty miles. I ran 
it up in thirty-two hours, and down in thirty. 
I had a light breeze against me the whole way, 
both going and coming, and the voyage has been 
performed wholly by the power of the steam 
engine. I overtook many sloops and schooners, 
beating to the windward, and parted with them 
as if they had been at anchor. The power of 
propelling boats by steam is now fully proved. 
The morning I left New York, there were not 
perhaps thirty persons in the city who believed 
that the boat would ever move one mile an hour, 
or be of the least utility, and while we were put- 
ting off from the wharf, which was crowded with 
spectators, I heard a number of sarcastic re- 
marks. This is the way in which ignorant men 

234 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

compliment what they call philosophers and 
projectors. Having employed much time, money 
and zeal in accomplishing this work, it gives 
me, as it will you, great pleasure to see it fully 
answer my expectations. It will give a cheap 
and quick conveyance to the merchandise on the 
Mississippi, Missouri, and other great rivers, 
which are now laying open their treasures to 
the enterprise of our countrymen ; and although 
the prospect of personal emolument has been 
some inducement to me, yet I feel infinitely more 
pleasure in reflecting on the immense advantage 
that my country will derive from the invention. 

Barlow in a letter 1 to Chancellor Liv- 
ingston, written the 18th of September, 
1807, says: 

I sincerely rejoice with you at the success of 
our mutual and good friend Fulton with the 
Steam Boat, and hope and trust it will answer 
your highest expectations. Next year we in- 
tend to make an excursion to the North, we 
hope with Fulton, when we will try the new 

1 In the library of Haverford College. 

235 



ROBERT FULTON 

Balloon up the river, and make you the visit 
on which our hearts are much fixt. 



After her return from the first voyage 
up the Hudson, the Clermont was left at 
the New York dock for more than two 
weeks. This time was considered neces- 
sary by Fulton and Livingston to fit the 
boat for regular traffic and to make certain 
improvements which Fulton notes in the 
following letter to the Chancellor, who 
had remained at his country place. 

New York, 
Saturday, the 28 [29th] of August, 1807 
Dear Sir: 

On Saturday I wrote you that I arrived here 
on Friday at four o'clock, which made my 
voyage from Albany exactly thirty hours. We 
had a little wind on Friday morning, but no 
waves which produced any effect. I have been 
making every exertion to get off on Monday 
morning, but there has been much work to do — 

236 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

boarding all the sides, decking over the boiler 
and works, finishing each cabin with twelve 
berths to make them comfortable, and strength- 
ening many parts of the iron work. So much 
to do, and the rain, which delays the caulkers, 
will, I fear, not let me off till Wednesday morn- 
ing. Then, however, the boat will be as com- 
plete as she can be made — all strong and in 
good order and the men well organized, and I 
hope, nothing to do but to run her for six weeks 
or two months. The first week, that is if she 
starts on Wednesday, she will make one trip to 
Albany and back. Every succeeding week she 
will run three trips — that is, two to Albany 
and one to New York, or two to New York 
and one to Albany, always having Sunday and 
four nights for rest to the crew. By carrying 
for the usual price there can be no doubt but 
the steamboat will have the preference because 
of the certainty and agreeable movements. I 
have seen the captain of the fine sloop from 
Hudson. He says the average of his passages 
have been forty-eight hours. For the steam- 
boat it would have been thirty certain. The 
persons who came down with me were so much 
pleased that they said were she established to 

237 



ROBERT FULTON 

run periodically they would never go in any 
thing else. I will have her registered and 
every thing done which I can recollect. Every 
thing looks well and I have no doubt will be 
very productive. 

Yours truly, 

Robert Fulton. 



The following postscript ends the letter 
of August 29th: 1 

You may look for me Thursday morning 
about seven o'clock. I think it would be well 
to write to your brother Edward to get infor- 
mation on the velocity of the Mississippi, the 
size and form of the boats used, the number of 
hands and quantity of tons in each boat, the 
number of miles they make against the current 
in twelve hours, and the quantity of tons which 
go up the river in a year. On this point beg 
of him to be accurate. 

1 Robert Fulton to Robert R. Livingston, Saturday, 
28 [29th] August, 1807. Original formerly in possession 
of Mr. Clermont Livingston. 

238 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

On the 2d of September, the necessary 
equipment and alterations having been 
completed, Fulton inserted his first adver- 
tisement in "The Albany Gazette," and 
the "Evening Post" of New York. It 
read: 

THE NORTH RIVER STEAM BOAT 

Will leave Pauler's Hook Ferry on Fri- 
day the 4 th of September, at 6 in the 
morning, and arrive at Albany, on Sat- 
urday, at 6 in the afternoon. 

Provisions, good berths and accommo- 
dations are provided. 

The charge to each passenger is as 
follows : 

To Newburgh $3 time 14 hours 
To Poughkeepsie 4 17 

To Esopus 4j/£ 20 

To Hudson 5 30 

To Albany 7 36 

239 



ROBERT FULTON 

For places, apply to Wm.Vandervoort, 
N°* 48 Courtlandt-street, on the corner 
of Greenwich-street. 

Way passengers to Tarry Town, etc., 
etc., will apply to the captain on board. 

The Steam Boat will leave Albany on 
Monday the 7 th of September at 6 in the 
morning and arrive at New -York on 
Tuesday at 6 in the evening. 

She will leave New- York on Wed- 
nesday morning at 6, and arrive at 
Albany on Thursday evening at 6 in 
the evening. 

She will leave Albany on Friday 
morning at 6, and arrive at New -York 
on Saturday evening at 6. — Thus per- 
forming two voyages from Albany and 
one from New -York within the week. 
On Monday the 14 th , and Friday the 
1 8 th , she will leave New-York at 6 in the 
morning, and Albany on the 16 th , at 6 
240 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

in the morning, after which the arrange- 
ments for her departure will be an- 
nounced. 



On the same day Fulton paid $4.50 for 
the advertisement and also bought some 
furnishings, previously noted, for the 
Clermont. 

For three weeks this advertisement con- 
tinued to appear, but on September 23d a 
new announcement was issued: 

The Steam Boat being thoroughly 
repaired, and precaution taken that in- 
jury shall not be done to her wheels in 
future, it is intended to run her as a 
PACKET for the remainder of the sea- 
son. She will take her departure from 
New -York and Albany at 9 o'clock in 
the morning, and always perform her 
voyage in from 30 to 36 hours. 
241 



ROBERT FULTON 

The time of her departure for the 
first nine voyages will be as follows : 
From Albany, Friday the 25 th September. 
From New -York, Monday 28 th do. 
From Albany, Wednesday 30 th do. 
From New -York, Friday 2 d October. 
From Albany, Monday 5 th " 

From New -York Wednesday 7 th do. 
From Albany, Friday 9 th do. 

For passage, apply to Mr. William 
Vandervoort, N 0, 48 Courtlandt-Street, 
corner of Greenwich-street. 

Several minor mishaps occurred during 
the first months of the new manner of 
voyaging. Maladjustments were to be 
expected, but it also appears that the 
sloops of the Hudson, either purposely or 
by the strange attraction which one mov- 
ing body feels for another, especially in 
the moment of a helmsman's fear, had 
242 




STATUE OF ROBERT FULTON AT THE FULTON FERRY-HOUSE, 

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 

Modeled after the Jarvis portrait- now in possession of the Misses Vinton 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

several serious collisions with the Cler- 
mont. 

It is recorded that chief among the 
troubles encountered were the erratic 
movements of the river sloops which ran 
afoul of the steamboat whenever oppor- 
tunity offered. On October 2d the Cler- 
mont lost one paddle-wheel from such a 
collision, and had to be withdrawn from 
service. This damage was speedily re- 
paired and she was soon able to resume the 
regular trips. Each day the passengers 
became more numerous. Twenty-four 
made the trip on September 4th, but by 
October 1st the number had increased to 
sixty, and by November her cabins were 
overcrowded with more than a hundred. 

The "Evening Post" of October 2, 
1807, contained this item of news: 

Steam Boat. Mr. Fulton's new invented 
Steam Boat which is fitted up in a neat stile 

245 



ROBERT FULTON 

for passengers, and is intended to run from 
New York to Albany as a Packet, left here 
this morning with Ninety passengers, against a 
strong head wind. Notwithstanding which, it 
was judged she moved through the water at the 
rate of six miles an hour. Yesterday she came 
in from Albany in 28 hours with 60 passengers. 
Quere, [sic] would it not be well if she could 
contract with the Post Master General to carry 
the mail from this city to Albany? 

The popularity and success of Fulton's 
venture were now assured. Enthusiastic 
passengers began to write letters to the 
press, and from that time on records are 
less meager. One of the earliest descrip- 
tions is that of Judge John Q. Wilson, of 
Albany, who in 1856, at the request of 
friends, wrote an account of his memo- 
rable voyage upon the Clermont, when she 
was first put into use as a packet. 

It may be of some interest to the present 
generation to have a correct account of the 

246 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

first boat built by Fulton and Livingston, on 
her first trip as a passage vessel, by one who 
was then a passenger. The writer of this ar- 
ticle resided in New York, and was often in 
the shipyard when Mr. Fulton was building his 
first boat. She was a queer looking craft ; and, 
like every thing new, excited much attention, 
and not a little ridicule. When she was 
launched, and the steam engine placed in her 
that also was looked upon as a piece [of folly] 
with the boat built to float it. In those days 
the operations of the steam engine were but 
little known. A few had seen the one for rais- 
ing the Manhattan water, but to the people 
at large the thing was a hidden mystery. 
Curiosity was now greatly excited. When it 
was announced in New York that the boat 
would start from the foot of Courtlandt street 
at 6% o'clock on Friday morning, the 4th of 
September, and take passengers to Albany, 
there was a broad smile on ever.y face as the 
inquiry was made if anybody would be fool- 
hardy enough to go. A friend of the writer of 
this article, hearing he intended to venture, 
accosted him in the street : "John, will thee risk 
thy life in such a concern? I tell thee she is 

14 247 



ROBERT FULTON 

the most fearful wild fowl living, and thy father 
ought to restrain thee." 

When Friday morning came the wharves, 
piers, housetops, and every spot from which 
a sight could be obtained, were filled with spec- 
tators. There were twelve berths, and every 
one was taken. The fare was $7. All the ma- 
chinery of the boat was fully exposed to view; 
the water and balance wheels were entirely un- 
covered. 1 The peripheries were of cast-iron, 
some four inches or more square, and ran just 
clear of the water. The weight of both the 
water and balance-wheels was sustained by the 
shafts, which projected over the sides of the 
vessel. There were no outside guards. The 
forward part of the boat was covered by a 
deck, which afforded shelter for the men em- 
ployed in navigating the boat. The after part 
was fitted up in a rough manner for passengers ; 
the entrance into the cabin was from the stern, 
in front of the steersman, who worked a tiller, the 
same as in an ordinary sloop. Thick, black smoke 
issued from the chimney — steam hissed from 
every ill-fated valve and crevice of the engine. 

1 The covering was placed upon the remodeled boat and 
was not upon the Clermont. 

248 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

Fulton himself was there, his remarkably clear 
and sharp voice was heard above the hum of the 
multitude and noise of the engine. All his actions 
were confident and decided, unheeding the fear- 
fulness of some and the doubts and sarcasms 
of others. In the whole scene combined there 
was an individuality and an interest which, like 
"love's young dream," comes but once, and is 
remembered forever. The time for the depar- 
ture of the boat arrived ; some of the machinery 
still required to be adjusted; there was a delay. 
Some of the passengers said, in Fulton's hear- 
ing, they feared the voyage would prove a fail- 
ure. He replied: 

"Gentlemen, you need not be uneasy; you 
shall be in Albany before twelve o'clock to- 
morrow." 

When everything was ready, the engine was 
started, and the boat moved steadily but slowly 
from the wharf. As she turned up the river 
and was fairly under way there arose such a 
huzza as ten thousand throats never gave be- 
fore. The passengers returned the cheer, but 
Fulton stood erect upon the deck, his eye flash- 
ing with an unearthly brilliancy as he surveyed 
the crowd. He felt that the magic wand of suc- 

249 



ROBERT FULTON 

cess was waving over him, and he was silent. 
It was agreed that a kind of log-book should 
be kept. Gerrit H. Van Wagenen was desig- 
nated to give the time, and the writer of this 
article to set it down. At the termination of 
the voyage, the following paper was drawn up 
and signed by all the passengers and published 
in the Albany "Register" of Tuesday, September 
8, 1807: 

"On Friday morning, at eighteen minutes 
before 7 o'clock, the North River steamboat 
left New York, landed one passenger at Tarry- 
town (twenty-five miles) and arrived at New- 
burgh (sixty-three miles) at 4 o'clock in the 
afternoon ; landed one passenger there, and ar- 
rived at Clermont (one hundred miles), where 
two passengers^ one of whom was Mr. Fulton, 
were landed at fifteen minutes before 2 o'clock 
in the morning, and arrived at Albany at twen- 
ty-seven minutes past 11 o'clock, making the 
whole time twenty-eight hours and forty-five 
minutes ; distance, one hundred and fifty miles. 
The wind was favorable, but light from Ver- 
planck's Point to Wappinger's Creek (forty 
miles). The remainder of the way it was 
ahead, or there was a dead calm. The sub- 

250 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

scribers, passengers on board of this boat on 
her first passage as a packet, think it but jus- 
tice to state that the accommodations and con- 
veniences on board exceeded their most san- 
guine expectations : 

Selah Strong, G. H. Van Wagenen, 

Thomas Wallace, John Q. Wilson, 

John P. Anthony, Dennis H. Doyle, 

George Wetmore, William S. Hicks, 

J. Bowman, J. Crane, 

James Braden, Stephen N. Rowan. 
Albany, September 5, 1807." 

When coming up Haverstraw Bay a man in 
a skiff lay waiting for us. His appearance in- 
dicated a miller; the paddle-wheels had very 
naturally attracted his attention ; he asked per- 
mission to come on board. Fulton ordered a 
line to be thrown to him, and he was drawn 
alongside. He said he "did not know about a 
mill going upstream, and came to inquire about 
it." One of the passengers, an Irishman, seeing 
through the simple-minded miller man at a glance, 
became his cicerone ; showed him all the machin- 
ery and contrivances by which one wheel could 

251 



ROBERT FULTON 

be thrown out of gear when the mill was required 
to come about. After finishing the examina- 
tion, said he, "that will do; now show me the 
mill-stones." "Oh," said the other, "that is a 
secret which the master," pointing to Fulton, 
"has never told us; but when we come back 
from Albany with a load of corn, then if you 
come on board you will see the meal fly." Den- 
nis kept his countenance and the miller left. As 
we passed West Point the whole garrison was 
out and cheered us. At Newburgh it seemed 
as if all Orange County had collected there ; the 
whole side-hill city seemed animated with life. 
Every sail-boat and water craft was out; the 
ferry-boat from Fishkill was filled with ladies. 
Fulton was engaged in seeing a passenger 
landed, and did not observe the boat until she 
bore up alongside. The flapping of the sail 
arrested his attention, and as he turned, the 
waving of so many handkerchiefs and the smiles 
of bright and happy faces, struck him with sur- 
prise. He raised his hat and exclaimed, "That 
is the finest sight we have seen yet." 



252 



AND THE "CLERMONT 



FULTON S LETTER TO THE CAPTAIN 

By October the Clermont was fully estab- 
lished as a packet for the public. Captain 
Brink remained in charge throughout the 
year 1807 and was succeeded the following 
spring by Captain Samuel Wis wall, who 
remained for many years thereafter in 
Fulton's employ. That Fulton realized 
the responsibilities of leadership and ex- 
pected each man whom he placed in au- 
thority to prove his fitness for the task, is 
shown in the following masterly letter now 
in possession of a grandson of Captain 
Brink : 

New York, Oct. 9, 1807. 
Capt Brink:— 
Sir— 

Inclosed is the number of voyages which 
it is intended the Boat should run this season. 

253 



ROBERT FULTON 

You may have them published in the Albany 
papers. 

As she is strongly man'd and every one ex- 
cept Jackson under your command, you must 
insist on each one doing his duty or turn him 
on shore and put another in his place. Every- 
thing must be kept in order, everything in its 
place, and all parts of the Boat scoured and 
clean. It is not sufficient to tell men to do a 
thing, but stand over them and make them do it. 
One pair of Quick and good eyes is worth six 
pair of hands in a commander. If the Boat 
is dirty and out of order the fault shall be 
yours. Let no man be Idle when there is the 
least thing to do, and make them move quick. 

Run no risques of any kind when you meet 
or overtake vessels beating or crossing your 
way. Always run under their stern if there be 
the least doubt that you cannot clear their 
head by 50 yards or more. Give in the ac- 
counts of Receipts and expenses every week to 
the Chancellor. 

Your most Obedient 

Robt. Fulton. 
254 






AND' THE "CLERMONT" 

In his Life of Robert Fulton, James 
Renwick, LL.D., includes the following 
valuable description of the inventor's 
charm of personality: 

"Fulton was in person considerably 
above the middle height; his countenance 
bore marks of intelligence' and talent. 
Natural refinement, and long intercourse 
with the most polished societies both of 
Europe and America, had given him 
grace and elegance of manners. His 
great success, and the belief that his in- 
vention had secured the certainty of great 
wealth, however unfounded this belief 
was proved to be after his death, never 
for a moment rendered him arrogant or 
assuming. Fond of society, he was the 
soul of the intelligent circle in which he 
moved, and of which his hospitable man- 
sion was the center. The fine arts, once 
his chosen profession, were his recreation 
255 



ROBERT FULTON 

and delight in after life; and he not only 
practised them himself, but bountifully 
encouraged the efforts of others." 

On the 13th of November, another mis- 
hap occurred to the Clermont, which 
necessitated a delay of one day in the ful- 
filment of her schedule. The "Evening 
Post" chronicled the slight accident on the 
following day, November 14th, which, it 
may be observed, was Fulton's forty- 
second birthday: 

Steam Boat — Yesterday morning the Steam 
Boat left Courtlandt-street dock for Albany, 
with between 40 and 50 passengers. She had 
not proceeded further than opposite the State 
Prison, before one of the axeletrees [sic] broke 
off short, and she was obliged to return. We 
understand she will be repaired in the course 
of the day, and start again to-morrow morning 
at 10 o'clock. 

Fulton contrived to run the vessel upon 
scheduled trips, until the ice in the river 
made navigation impossible. She was 
256 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

crowded with passengers and the commer- 
cial success of the experiment was fully 
guaranteed. The "Post" stated on the 
19th of November: 

We learn by the passengers who arrived 
last evening from Albany in the Steam Boat, 
that on Monday last the river from Albany 
down as far as Coxsackie froze entirely across. 

But the passengers themselves felt no 

inconvenience or impatience from the ice 

impact, as is evidenced in their letter to 

the "Post." 

New York, November 19, 1807 

The subscribers, passengers in the North 
River Steam Boat, state that the Boat left the 
dock at Albany, at half past 4 o'clock on Tues- 
day afternoon, the 17th instant — that they took 
in some passengers at the Overslaugh — came 
too [sic~\ at Hudson, and owing to the violence of 
the wind, was obliged to cast anchor near Stony 
Point. That they arrived at the Hoboken 
ferry, on the Jersey shore, last evening, the 
18th inst. at half past 10 o'clock. The time 
then will be as follows: 

257 



ROBERT FULTON 

From Tuesday half past 4 P. M. to 

Wednesday half past 2 P. M. . .30 hours 

Deduct time the Boat was at anchor 
during the passage, at and near 
Stony Point 7 hours 

23 hours 

The subscribers cannot but express their 
most unequivocal approbation of the treatment 
they received during the passage, and that no 
accident of any kind occurred, although during 
the whole passage the wind was extremely vio- 
lent, particularly when the Boat came too [sic] 
at Stony Point. 

J. V. N. Yates, J. Warner, Junr., 

James McVarner, William W. Russell, 

Sidney Berry, Junr., J. Nathan Perkins, 

W. V. Yates, Pliny Adams, 

T. Stitson, Daniel Geer. 
Peter Morte, 

The Steam Boat will start from here again 
next Sunday morning precisely at 10 o'clock. 

During the succeeding months, the 
Clermont was kept in winter quarters, and 
258 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

underwent important alterations and im- 
provements. The following letter from 
Fulton, who was then in Washington, to 
Chancellor Livingston in New York fully 
notes the plans for the enlargement of the 
boat and gives the specifications for her 
future financial and structural develop- 
ment. 

The important letter is in possession of 
the New York Historical Society: 

To Robert R. Livingston 

Washington November the 20th 1807 
Dear Sir 

I have received your letter of the 12th inst. 
after all accidents and delays our boat has 
cleared 5 per cent on the capital expended and 
as the people are not discouraged but continue 
to go in her at all risques, and even increase 
in numbers I think with you that one which 
should be complete would produce us from 8 
to 10,000 dollars a year or perhaps more and 
that another boat which will cost 15,000 dol- 

259 



ROBERT FULTON 

lars will also produce us 10,000 dollars a year 
therefore as this is the only method which I 
know of gaining 50 or 75 per cent I am on my 
part determined not to dispose of any portion 
of my interest on the North river but I will sell 
so much of my funds as will pay my part of 
rendering this boat complete and for establish- 
ing another so that one will depart from Albany 
and one from New York every other day and 
carry all the passengers. It is now necessary 
to consider how to put our first boat in a com- 
plete state for 8 or 10 years — and when I re- 
flect that the present one is so weak that she 
must have additional knees and timbers, new 
side timbers deck beams and deck, new windows 
and cabins altered, that she perhaps must be 
sheathed, her boiler taken out and a new one 
put in her axels forged and Iron work strength- 
ened with all this work the saving of the present 
hull is of little consequence particularly as 
many of her Knees Bolts timbers and planks 
could enter into the construction of a new boat, 
my present opinion therefore is that we should 
build a new hull her knees and floor timbers to 
be of oak her bottom planks of 2 Inch oak her 
side planks two Inch oak for 3 feet high 
She to be 16 feet wide 150 feet long this will make 

260 



» O 

S 2: 




• 2; 

ffl o 







I 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

her near twice as Stiff as at present and enable 
us to carry a much greater quantity of sail, the 
4 feet additional width will require 1146 lbs ad- 
ditional purchase at the engine moving 2 feet 
a second or 15 double strokes a minute this 
will be gained by raising the steam 5 lb to the 
Inch as 24 Inches the diameter of the cylinder 
gives 570 round Inches at 3 lb to the inch = 
1710 lb purchase gained to accomplish this 
with a good boiler and a commodious boat run- 
ning our present speed, of a voyage in 30 hours 
I think better and more productive to us than 
to gain one mile on the present boat. 

The new boat Cabins and all com- 
plete including our materials will cost 

perhaps 2000$ 

Boiler 800 

Iron work in the best manner and mens 

wages during the winter .... 1200 

4000 
To meet this I find that our copper boiler 
weighs 3930 lb which at 40 cents all 
the price paid by government will 

produce 1570$ 

Profits of this year . 1000 

2570 
263 



ROBERT FULTON 

So that we shall have to provide about 1,500$ 
added to 3,000 Bills against us in the Bank, 
with this arrangement we shall have one Boat 
in complete play producing about 10,000 dol- 
lars a year to enable us to proceed with the 
second to come out in the spring of 1809, and 
then our receipts will be about 20,000 dollars 
a year. 

Please to think of this and if you like it to 
try to contract with the carpenter at Hudson 
for the hull and let him immediately prepare his 
timbers, knees and planks — 

She should be almost wall sided if 16 feet 
at bottom she need not be more than 18 on deck 
Streight Sides will be strong it fits the mill work 
and prevents motion in the waves — thus 
[drawing omitted] 

It is now time to lay her up for the winter. 
Nothing should be risqued from bad weather — 
the gain will be triffling the risque great. 

I cannot be with you before the first week 
of January 

"Compliments to all friends write me again 

Yours truly 

R Fulton 

264 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

Do not risque the engine in the winds and 
waves of this season. 



It should be noted that Fulton realized 
the revolutionizing possibilities of steam- 
navigation, and in this connection, at the 
close of the record of the Clermont's suc- 
cess, it may not be inappropriate to tell of 
an incident which indicates that Fulton 
also contemplated the possibility of steam- 
railways. On one occasion, about a year 
1810-11, Fulton was journeying to 
Washington by stage coach with a party 
of fellow passengers. A long delay in 
changing horses at one of the wayside tav- 
erns, en route, prompted a lady in the 
party to say to the inventor : 

"Oh, Mr. Fulton, you have invented a 
way to travel quickly over the water— 
why can you not invent a way to carry us 
quickly over the land?" 
15 265 



ROBERT FULTON 

Fulton bowed low, and said, "Madam, 
it will come." 

It seems to have been about this time 
that he wrote to Chancellor Livingston 
outlining a project for steam-railways. 
The Chancellor's reply has been pre- 
served, and is herewith given. He thought 
the plan impracticable and Fulton, in the 
evident impossibility of interesting his 
partner for the steamboat enterprise in 
this new undertaking, temporarily gave 
up the plan. 



Albany, N. Y. March 1, 1811 
Dear Sir: 

I did not till yesterday receive yours of the 
25th of February, where it has loitered on the 
road I am at a loss to say. I had before read 
of your very ingenious proposition as to the 
railway communication. I fear however, on 
mature reflection, that they will be liable to 
serious objections, and ultimately more expen- 

266 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

sive than a canal. They must be double, so as 
to prevent the danger of two such bodies meet- 
ing. 

The walls on which they are placed must 
be at least four feet below the surface, and three 
above, and must be clamped with iron, and even 
then would hardly sustain so heavy a weight 
as you propose moving at the rate of four 
miles an hour on wheels. As to wood it would 
not last a week. They must be covered with 
iron and that too, very thick and strong. 

The means of stopping these heavy car- 
riages without a great shock and of preventing 
them from running on each other — for they 
would be many on the road at once, would be 
very difficult. In case of accidental stops, or 
necessary stops to take on wood and water, etc. 
many accidents would happen. 

The carriage of condensing water would be 
very troublesome. Upon the whole, I fear the 
expense would be much greater than that of 
canals, without being so convenient. 

R. R. Livingston. 
To Robert Fulton, Esq. 

267 



ROBERT FULTON 

Mr. Paul A. Sabbaton, in the letter 
already quoted from (p. 217) , relates that 
Fulton and Colden had agreed to go to 
Richmond, Virginia, to build a railway to 
transport coal from Captain Heath's 
mines, twelve miles distant, but that Ful- 
ton's death put an end to the project. He 
added, "Had it been otherwise, he would 
have been the first to put railways in use 
here." 



ENLARGEMENT OF THE CLERMONT 

During the winter of 1807, as we have 
seen, the Clermont was virtually rebuilt 
and enlarged to accommodate the in- 
creased number of patrons. As the North 
River she made regular trips on the Hud- 
son for several years. 

An interesting letter from Robert Ful- 
ton to Charles Wilson Peale refers in 
1808 to the enlarged boat. 
268 



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' 




THE STEAM-BOAT. 



For the Information of the ^Public* 



"«UK STEAM-BOAT will leave New- 
, York lor Albakt every Saturday af- 
loon, exactly -at 5 o'clock — and will pass 
Vest Point about 2 o'clock on Sunday 

Newburgh, 6 do. [morning, 

Poughkeepsie, 10 do. 

Esopus, 1 in the afternoon, 

Rcdhook, 3 tfo. 

Catskill, 6do. 



Hudson, 8 in the evening. 

She will leave Albahy for New-York every 
"Wednesday morning, exactly at 8 o;clock,and 
pass Hudson about 3 in the afternoon, 
Esdpus. 8 in the evening, 

Pou^hkeepsie, 12atuighl, 
Newburgh, 4 Thursday morning, 

West Point, 7 do. 
As the time at which the Boat may arrive 
at the different places above-mentioned may 
vary an hour more or less according to the ad- 
vantage or disadvantage of wind and tide, 
those who wish to come on board will see the 
necessity of being on the spot an hour before 
the lime. Persons wishing to come on board 
from any other landing than here specified, 
■can calculate the time the Boat will pass, and, 
be ready on their arrival. Inn-keepers or boat- 
men, who bring passenger's onboard, or take 
them ashore, from any part of the river, will 
be allowed one shilling for each person. 
Prices of passage— from New-York, 
To West Point, g3 

Newburgh, 3 25 

Poughkeepste, 4 

Esopus, 4 25 

"3edhook, 4 50 

Hudson, 5 

Albany, 7 

From Albany, 
To Hudson, 2 

Redhook, 3 

Esopus, 3 -50>- 

Pouc-hkeepsie, 4 

Newburgh and West Point,. 4 50 

New-York, 7 

All other way passengers are to pay at the 

rate of one dollar for every twenty miles, and 

lialf a dollar for every meal they think: proper 

No one can be taken on '.' board and put on 
.Shore, however short the distance, for less 
than 2 dollars. 

Young persons from 2 to 10 years of age to 
pay half price, or two thirds, if he or she sit at 
table with the company. • 

Children under the a'ge of 2 yean to pay 
One fourth price. 

Servants who pay two thirds price are en- 
titled to a birth ; they pay half price if no birth. 

Every person paying full price is allowed 
«0 lbs. of baggage ; if less than whole price 
40 lbs. They are to pay at the rate of three 
cents a pound for all surplus baggage. 

Any person taking' a birth, shall have no 
light to change it without permission of the 

A person entering their name in the book 
for a passage, shall' pay half price although 
they, shall decline. Half the price of the pav- 
o be paid at the time of entering, or the 
" i free for any other tub- 



on board ; "dinner, will be server} up. exactly at 
2 o'clock,- tea,'with-jieats, which is also sup- 
per, at 8 in the evening ; anirbreakfast at 9 in 
the morning: no one baa a claim on the stew- 
ard for yietuals at any other hour. 

REGULATIONS, 

The rule, which are made for order and oeatnef, m it* 
beat, arc not to be abuled Judgmen, ball be ac- 
cording to the letter of .he law. Gentlemen wilh- 
lug well to fo public and ufcfut »n elUblioWnt, 
will fee the propriety of Uriel jullior, and the ,m- 

Jn'Tof ' y (hc '"" imp ° Q "° a °" ,he ?•"!">• feel- 
Trie Back Cabin, of ,2 births, but which, 
will accommodate 18 persons, is exclusively 
for the Ladies and their children. They who 
first apply ancfenter their names on the book, 
and at the same time pay their passage-mo- 
ney, shall have the choice of 12 births. Any 
greater number of persona will be accommo- 
dated with sophas or cross lockers. 

The Great Cabin, of 24 births, which will 
accommodate 36 persons, is for Gentlemen. 
I he first who apply and enter their names in 
the book, at the same time paying their pas- 
sage-money, wjll have their choice of the 24 
births. Any greater number of persons wiH 
be accommodated with sophas. 

The Fore Coin,cf 16 births, will accom- 
modate 24 persons. The first who apply, on 
enteringtheir names and payingtheir passage- 
money, will have the choice of the births. A- 
ny greater number Of persons will be accom- 
modated with-eophas. 

Way-Passengers, who are not out for more 
than half the night, are not entitled to lie down 
in a birth. 

..As the comfort o| allpersoiis must be con- 
sidered, cleanliness, neatness, and order. are 
necessary ; it is therefore not permitted that 
any person shall smoke in the Mies' cabiiv 
or in the great cabin, under a penalty, first of 
one dollar and an half, antl half adolfer fop 
each half how they offend against this rule ; 
the money to he spent in wine for the com- 
pany. 

It is not permitted for any person to lie 
down Hi. a birth with their boots or shoes on, 
under a penalty of one dollar and a half, and 
half a dollar for every half hour they may of. 
fend against this rule. 

A sheir has been added to each birth,; on 
which gentlemen will please to put thei ri boots^ 
shoes, and clothes, that the cabin may not be 



On deok and in-the fore cabin it is allowed 

In the ladies' oabinarrd in the great cabin, 
cards and all games are to cease at 10 o'clock 
in the evening, . that those persons who wish 
to sleep might not be disturbed. 

As the Steam-Boat has been fitted np in an 
elegant style, order is necessary.to keep it so : 
gentlemen will therefore please to observe 
cleanliness, and a reasonable attention not to 
injure the furniture ; for this purpose no one 
must sit on a table under thepenslty of half » 
dollar for each time, and every. breakage of 
tables, chairs, sophas. or windows, tearing o C 
''"' orinjuryof any kind, must be paid 
- leaving the Boat. 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

"Clermont, State of New York, 

June the 11, 1808. 
"My steam boat is now in complete 
operation and works much to my satisfac- 
tion, making the voyages from or to New 
York or Albany, 160 miles, on an average 
in 35 hours. She has three excellent 
Cabins, or rather rooms, containing 54 
births, with kitchen, larder, pantry, Bar, 
and steward's room. Passengers have 
been encourageing. Last Saturday she 
started from New York with 70, which is 
doing very well for these times when trade 
has not its usual activity." 1 

PASSENGER REGULATIONS ON THE 
NORTH BIVEB (THE REMODELED CLERMONT) 

The following time-schedule and list of 
regulations for passengers is taken from 
Captain Samuel WiswalTs book, in pos- 
session of John Henry Livingston, Esq., 
of Clermont. 

1 Letter in possession of C. H. Hart, Esq., of Philadelphia. 

269 



ROBERT FULTON 

THE STEAM BOAT. 

For the Information of the Public. 

THE STEAM BOAT will leave New 
York for Albany every Saturday after- 
noon exactly at 5 o'clock — and will pass 
West Point about 3 o'clock on Sunday 
Newburgh " 6 do [morning. 

Poughkeepsie " 10 do 
Esopus " 1 in the afternoon. 

Redhook 3 do 

Catskill 6 do 

Hudson 8 in the evening. 

She will leave Albany for New York 
every Wednesday morning exactly at 8 
o'clock, and pass Hudson about 3 in 
the afternoon. 

Esopus 8 in the evening. 

Poughkeepsie 1 2 at night. 
Newburgh 4 Thursday morning. 

West Point 7 do 
270 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

As the time at which the Boat may 
arrive at the different places above-men- 
tioned may vary an hour more or less 
according to the advantage or disadvan- 
tage of wind and tide, those who wish 
to come on board will see the necessity 
of being on the spot an hour before the 
time. Persons wishing to come on 
board from any other landing than here 
specified, can calculate the time the 
Boat will pass, and be ready on their 
arrival. Inn-keepers or boatmen, who 
bring passengers on board, or take them 
ashore, from any part of the river, will 
be allowed one shilling for each person. 

Prices of passage — -from New York. 

To West Point $3 

Newburgh 3.25 

Poughkeepsie 4 

Esopus 4- 2 5 
271 



ROBERT FULTON 



Redhook 


4-5° 


Hudson 


5.00 


Albany- 


7.00 


Frew Albany. 




Hudson 


2 


Redhook 


3 


Esopus 

Poughkeepsie 

Newburgh and West Point 

New York 


3-5o 

4 
4.50 

7 



All other passengers are to pay at the 
rate of one dollar for every twenty 
miles, and half a dollar for every meal 
they think proper to have. 

No one can be taken on board, and 
put on shore, however short the dis- 
tance, for less than 2 dollars. 

Young persons from 2 to 1 o years of 
age to pay half price, or two-thirds, if 
he or she sit at table with the company. 
272 




AND THE "CLERMONT" 

Children under the age of 2 years to 
pay one fourth price. 

Servants who pay two thirds price 
are entitled to a birth; they pay half 
price if no birth. 

Every person paying full price is al- 
lowed 60 lbs. of baggage ; if less than 
whole price 40 lbs. They are to pay at 
the rate of three cents a pound for all 
surplus baggage. 

Any person taking a birth, shall have 
no right to change it without permis- 
sion of the captain. 

A person entering their name in the 
book for a passage, shall pay half price 
although they shall decline. Half the 
price of the passage to be paid at the 
time of entering, or the birth will be 
considered free for any other subscriber. 

Passengers will breakfast before they 
come on board; dinner will be served up 
273 



ROBERT FULTON 

exactly at 2 o'clock ; tea, with meats, 
which is also supper, at 8 in the eve- 
ning ; and breakfast at 9 in the morning: 
no one has a claim on the steward for 
victuals at any other hour. 

REGULATIONS-. 1 

FOR THE NORTH RIVER STEAM BOAT. 

The rules which are made for order and neat- 
ness in the boat, are not to be abused. 
Judgment shall be according to the letter 
of the law. Gentlemen wishing well to so 
public and useful an establishment, will 
see the propriety of strict justice, and the 
impropriety of the least imposition on the 
purse or feelings of any individual. 

The Back Cabin, of 1 2 births, but 
which will accommodate 1 8 persons, is 
exclusively for the Ladies and their 
children. They who first apply and 

1 Here for the first time published. 

274 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

enter their names on the book, and at 
the same time pay their passage-money, 
shall have the choice of 1 2 births. Any 
greater number of persons will be ac- 
commodated with sophas or cross 
lockers. 

The Great Cabin of 24 births, which 
will accommodate 36 persons, is for 
Gentlemen. The first who apply and 
enter their names in the book, at the 
same time paying their passage-money, 
will have their choice of the 24 births. 
Any greater number of persons will be 
accommodated with sophas. 

The Fore Cabin, of 16 births, will 
accommodate 24 persons. The first 
who apply, on entering their names and 
paying their passage-money, will have 
the choice of the births. Any greater 
number of persons will be accommo- 
dated with sophas. 

275 



ROBERT FULTON 

Way-Passengers, who are not out for 
more than half the night, are not en- 
titled to lie down in a birth. 

As the comfort of all persons must be 
considered, cleanliness, neatness, and 
order are necessary ; it is therefore not 
permitted that any person shall smoke in 
the ladies' cabin, or in the great cabin, 
under a penalty, first of one dollar and 
a half, and half a dollar for each half 
hour they offend against this rule ; the 
money to be spent in wine for the com- 
pany. 

It is not permitted for any person to 
lie down in a birth with their boots or 
shoes on, under a penalty of one dollar 
and a half, and half a dollar for every 
half hour they may offend against this 
rule. 

A shelf has been added to each birth, 
on which gentlemen will please to put 
276 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

their boots, shoes, and clothes, that the 
cabin may not be incumbered. 

On deck and in the fore cabin it is 
allowed to smoke. 

In the ladies' cabin and in the great 
cabin, cards and all games are to cease 
at 10 o'clock in the evening, that those 
persons who wish to sleep might not be 
disturbed. 

As the Steam-Boat has been fitted up 
in an elegant style, order is necessary to 
keep it so: gentlemen will therefore 
please to observe cleanliness, and a rea- 
sonable attention not to injure the fur- 
niture ; for this purpose no one must 
sit on a table under the penalty of half 
a dollar for each time, and every break- 
age of tables, chairs, sophas, or win- 
dows, tearing of curtains, or injury of 
any kind, must be paid for before leav- 
ing the Boat. 

277 



ROBERT FULTON 

SOME PASSENGERS ON THE EARLY TRIPS 

The captain's passenger list 1 for the North 
River Steamboat showing the individual 
bookings for the 48th trip of the boat, 
September 20th, 1809, to May 5th, 1810, 
inclusive, presents the complete record for 
eighty-four trips. The names seem an old- 
time roll-call of the prominent families of 
the Hudson River. A partial list of the 
passengers will be of interest: 

H. W. Livingston, Lady & Daughter 

Mrs. Lawrence 

Mr. Monell 

Gov. Lewis & Lady & blk. girl 

Mr. Tillotson 

C. D. Colden & Lady 

Mr. Jay 

Mr. PV. Rensalaer & Lady 

Judge Radcliffe 

Mrs. Mynderse & Miss Teller 

1 In possession of John Henry Livingston, Esq., of Cler- 
mont. 

278 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

Miss Cruger 

Mr. Schenck 

Mr. V. Schoonhoven & Lady 

Captain Bogert & Daughter 

Mrs. Van Kleeck & Son 

Miss Ludlow & Girl 

Montgomery Livingston 

J. J. Coddington 

Miss Duane & Miss Van Kleeck 

Mrs. Yates [who carried 461 lbs. of baggage] 

Nicholas Roosevelt 

Mr. Peter Schuyler 

General Gansevoort & Daughter & Lady & 

Servant 
Capt'n Fipher & Lady 
J. Alden 

Mr. Cuyler, Lady & Ser't 
Thos. Ludlow 
Walter Livingston 
Alden Danforth 
Mrs. Pendleton 
Mr. Van Tassell 
Miss Stats 
Mr. Ten Eyck 
D. Romeyn Beach 
Guy Catlin 

279 



ROBERT FULTON 

Mr. McVicker 

Mr. Averill 

E. P. Livingston & Family 

Mr. Lee Avery 

Mr. Buel 

Mr. Daniel Potter 

Mr. Van Ness 

Doct. Bard 

Mrs. Schenck & Child 

Mrs. Varrick 

D. McComb 

Mr. Morris 

John Stevens 

D. Hossack 

Mr. Emmet 

John Pintard 

T. P. Grosvenor 

Mr. Ruggles 

G. E. Verplanck 

Mr. Proudfoot, Lady & Child 

Mr. Pawlding & 

Mr. Irving 

P. V. Hoffman 

Doctor Forsyth 

Mr. Boyd 

Martin Radcliffe 

280 



16 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

Mr. Burr 

Mr. Duer & Family 

Mr. Huntington 

Alanson Cary 

Mr. Bayard 

Mr. Beekman & Lady 

Mr. Cutting 

Mr. Van Wyck 

Mr. Pomeroy 

Mrs. Livingston & 

Mrs. Van Kleeck 

N. Bleecker 

S. Van Rensalaer & Ser't 

Matthew Vassar 

Mrs. Content Ferguson 

William Hudson 

Mr. Kissam & Lady 

W. Edgar Jr. & 

T. Leroy 

J. C. Goldbag 

Charles Joy 

Mr. Newbould & Lady 

Wm. Fish 

Mr. Brevort & Ser't 

Mr. Beekman 

L. Standish 

281 



ROBERT FULTON 

Mr. Satterlee 
Mr. Delavan 
Mr. Byam 
Mr. Sanford 
Capt. Chancy 
H. R. Teller 
Col. Troop 
Mr. Pell 
C. Guernsey 
Isaac Montague 

More light on the financial side of the 
enterprise is furnished by the following 
page in Fulton's handwriting, now in pos- 
session of J. R. Leamont, Esq., of Mont- 
real, here published for the first time. By 
"the new boat" is probably meant the 
Rariton, Fulton's second American steam- 
boat, which ran from New York to New 
Brunswick, New Jersey; or The Car of 
Neptune for additional service on the 
Hudson River, a companion for the North 
River. Both boats were built in 1808. 
282 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

1808 DISBURSEMENTS BY ROBT FULTON D C 

June 25 To Mr. Cheetham for 

printing 25 75 

Dec. 22 For copying the writing of 

the patent 15 00 

1809 

Jan. 22 For the patent 30 00 

Feb. 1 To Mr. Milligan for binding 

the patent 8 00 

" 4 A Mahogany box to contain 

the patent 3 00 

Mch. 4 To Mandivil the pilot of the 

N. R. boat 7 00 

" 13 To Capt. Wisnell a Cheque . 150 00 
" 23 Mr. Stowdenger a Cheque . 120 00 
Apr. 8 Mr. Cheetham for printing . 14 56 
" 22 To Bachelar the Blacksmith 50 00 
" 20 To Mr. Clogson Attorney at 

law 20 00 

" 24 Mr. Jenkel for insurance 

against fire — one year . . 150 00 

598 31 



283 



ROBERT FULTON 

Carried forward .... 598 31 

FOR THE NEW BOAT 

June 9 To Mr. Revere for Copper . 4259 00 
To Do " Copper 

Rivets 195 40 

To Mr. Smallman for the 

steam engine .... 2450 00 
To Mr. Brownne for the Boat 5000 00 
To Bennet the Coppersmith 

making boiler .... 200 00 
To Capt. Roorback ... 50 00 
To Mess. Ogden and Hoffman 

for Writings .... 25 00 
28 Mr. Rooseveld on Mississippi 

expedition 600 00 

dollars 13377 81 

6688 90 

1809 CASH RECEIVED OF R. R. LIVINGSTON, ESQ. 

March 19 2000 

April 20 1000 

June 1 2000 

5000 
Paid for Wood at Albany ... 300 

5300 

284 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

TO PAY TO THE NEW BOAT 

To Mr. Smallman ....... 900 

To Mr. Brownne 3000 

To Bennet the Coppersmith .... 1000 

To McQueen for Contract and Labor . 3000 

for Sails, furniture and Sundries . . 3000 



10900 
paid— 12779 51 

23679 51 



The final whereabouts of the pioneer 
vessel remains a mystery. It has been as- 
serted that she was finally transported as 
The Henrietta to the Cape Fear River, 
North Carolina, where Fulton himself as 
early as 1813 had suggested the formation 
of a steam-navigation company. An- 
other authority, Mr. J. Seymour Bullock, 
states tjiat the boat was broken up, when 
further important improvements rendered 
her antiquated shape and construction un- 
equal to the increased traffic upon the 
285 



ROBERT FULTON 

river, and that the "ribs" of the hull were 
used under the wharf in Jersey City 
where the Secor Foundry built monitors 
during the Civil War. 

A third statement that the boat was sunk 
off Poughkeepsie, is of doubtful authen- 
ticity. Fulton, with his usual thrift, prob- 
ably incorporated the useful parts of the 
Clermont in a boat of later construction. 

Fulton's own definition of his priority 
in the invention of the steamboat is con- 
tained in an interesting paper, now in pos- 
session of Judge Peter T. Barlow. In a 
letter to Joel Barlow the inventor asks 
him to obtain the signature of William 
Thornton, Clerk of the Patent Office, to a 
deposition, and writes in part : 

New York, June 28th, 1811. 
Dear Barlow: 

"My whole time is now occupied in building 
North River and Steam ferry boats, and in an 
interesting lawsuit to crush 22 Pirates who have 

286 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

clubbed their purses and copied my boats and 
have actually started my own Invention in op- 
position to me by running one trip to Albany: 
her machinery however gave way in the first 
voyage and she is now repairing, which will 
detain her I presume until we obtain an Injunc- 
tion 1 to stop her. A more infamous and out- 
rageous attack upon mental property has not 
disgraced America. Thornton has been one of 
the great causes of it. In this interesting suit 
which places a great fortune at stake I want 
you to do two things for me immediately. 
First go or send Lee to Thornton's office and 
demand a certified copy of my transfer of one 
half of my United States patents to Robert 
R. Livingston and let the certificate state that 
such transfer is legally registered in the patent 
office, — it may be certified by a Notary Public. 2 

The absorbing demands of the Cler- 
mont deterred Fulton from undertaking 
other important projects. President 

1 This injunction was obtained, and the Albany boats 
were confiscated. 

2 For the full text of this highly interesting document, 
see Appendix, pages 350-353. 

287 



ROBERT FULTON 

Jefferson, who had been interested in 
Fulton's treatise on Canal Navigation, and 
who had enjoyed a correspondence with 
him on this and kindred subjects, pro- 
posed at this time that he should examine 
the ground and report on a canal to unite 
the Mississippi River with Lake Pont- 
chartrain. In his reply to the Secretary 
of War, Fulton speaks specifically not 
only of the building of the Clermont but 
also of the Torpedo project which he had 
already offered to the American nation. 
This letter, in possession of the estate of 
Cornelia Livingston Crary, ' Fulton's 
daughter, has never before been published. 
An extract is here given : 

Philadelphia, March 20th, 1807. 

To General Dearborn, Secretary of War, — 
Dear Sir: 

I am infinitely obliged by the proposal of 
the President that I should examine the ground 

288 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

and report on a canal to unite the waters of the 
Mississippi and Lake Pontchartrain, And am 
sorry I cannot undertake a work so interesting 
and honourable. The reason is I have now Ship 
Builders, Blacksmiths and Carpenters occupied 
at New York in building and executing the ma- 
chinery of my Steam Boat, And I must return 
to that City in ten days to direct the work till 
finished, which probably will require 4 months. 
This enterprise is of much Importance to me 
individually and I hope will be of great use in 
facilitating the navigation of some of our long 
rivers. Like every enthusiast I have no doubt 
of success. I therefore work with ardor, and 
when adjusting the parts of the machine, I 
cannot leave the men for a day. I am also pre- 
paring the engines for the experiment of blow- 
ing up a Vessel in the harbour of New York 
this Spring. The machines for this purpose 
are in great forwardness and I hope to convince 
the rational part of the inhabitants of our 
cities, that vessels of War shall never enter 
our harbours or approach our Coasts but by 
our consent. Thus I hope I am usefully em- 
ployed for 6 or 9 months — 

Yours truly, 

Robt. Fulton. 

289 



ROBERT FULTON 

Three days earlier, Joel Barlow, who 
was always in Fulton's confidence, wrote 
to his wife : 

The President wants Toot [Fulton] to go 
immediately to New Orleans to survey the 
ground for a great canal there. Mrs. Dear- 
born says her home is high, airy and healthy, 
that you must come on with Fulton as far as 
here in the little phaeton & pass the summer 
with her, either here or jaunting a little about 
in these regions. Fulton, they say, is to be 
back in July, and then if it is thought best to 
go north, it can be done, as he may then be 
going to operate in N. York. All this is only 
thrown out to think on. 

He adds this postscript to Fulton: 

Toot, don't give an answer to Gen'l. Dear- 
born's letter of yesterday till I come. He does 
not expect it till then. 

One hundred years has but served 
to emphasize the wisdom of "Fulton's 
290 



I 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

Folly." Before the death of the inventor 
in 1815, eight years after the Clermont 
steamed up the Hudson, he had built no 
fewer than seventeen boats, which list in- 
cludes the first steam war frigate, the 
torpedo boat, and the first steam ferry- 
boats, the latter equipped with rounded 
ends for approach at either shore and 
floating docks to receive them. 



fulton's plans for steam navigation 
upon foreign waters 



Energetic to the last degree of activity, 
Fulton not only introduced steam naviga- 
tion upon the chief rivers of America but 
also contemplated its introduction upon 
foreign rivers. 

A letter at the Lenox Library, in the 
Thomas Addis Emmet collection, shows 
that in 1812 Fulton signed a joint con- 
293 



ROBERT FULTON 

tract with a certain Thomas Lane to in- 
troduce steamboats in India. He writes: 

I agree to make the Ganges a joint con- 
cern — the work is so honorable and impor- 
tant. It is so grand an Idea that America 
should establish steam vessels to work in India 
that it requires vigor activity, exertion, indus- 
try, attention and no time should be lost. My 
Paragon 1 beats everything on this globe, for 
made as you and I are, we cannot tell what 
is in the moon — this Day she came on from 
Albany 160 miles in 26 hours, wind ahead. 



Four days earlier, Fulton wrote another 
letter to Chevalier Svinie (Swinine), a 
Russian gentleman, then staying in Wey- 
mouth Street, London. The letter for- 
warded by J. Eliot Hodgkin of London, 
in response to the author's inquiry in 
"Notes and Queries," is here printed for 
the first time. 

1 Fulton's boat built in 1811 for service on the Hudson. 

294 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

New York, April 12, 1812. 
Chevalier Svinie, 
Sir; 

Being inventor of the Steam Boats having a 
claim on every Government for the use of my in- 
vention much superior to that of any other in- 
dividual, and relying on the respect which the 
Government of Russia have for the arts, I wrote 
to Mr. Adams 1 in November last to obtain for 
me an exclusive right for 20 years on condition 
that I should cause a steam-boat to be estab- 
lished from Petersburgh to Cronstadt in three 
years after obtaining 'the Grant, the considera- 
tions proposed to Mr. Adams render it neces- 
sary for me to wait his answer; But should he 
neglect or not obtain the grant, and it should 
be given to another, It will then be time enough 
to talk of the terms on which I would go into the 
enterprise, on which it is impossible for me at 
present to make up my mind. I am 

Sir Respectfully your most obedient, 

Robert Fiji/ton. 

1 John Quincy Adams, American Ambassador to Russia, 
1809-1814. 



295 



ROBERT FULTON 

A second letter upon this proposition is 
extant from the Chevalier. It is among 
Fulton's family papers in possession 
of the estate of his daughter, Cornelia 
Livingston Crary. M. Swinine says in 
part: 

"Doubtless Sir, it is known to you, that 
for several months past I have been taken 
up with your admirable invention of the 
steam boat, dedicating all my knowledge 
for its introduction in Russia. As you 
have received the Imperial permission for 
this introduction, I offer you, Sir, my ser- 
vices, which I flatter myself may be of 
great utility. Certainly it will be neces- 
sary for you to have the plan of the River 
Neva and of the channel from St. Peters- 
bourg to Cronstadt, to have the clearest 
information of the value of materials nec- 
essary for the construction of the steam 
296 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

boat, the description of other communica- 
tions by water in Russia etc. I hope to 
give you all that and whatever else may 
be requisite for you in the most agreeable 
way, as none but myself can satisfy you. 

"My demands are limited to the two 
following agreements : 

1st That your Company honour me 
with the title of Superintendent of the 
Steamboats of Russia. 

2nd: That it will grant me on my ar- 
rival in Russia an annual salary as may 
seem most just." [etc.] 

At the time of Fulton's death the steam- 
boat The Emperor of Russia was in pro- 
cess of building, and in accordance with 
contract was to be transferred to Russian 
waters before December 1st. The enter- 
prise was postponed, and was subse- 
quently taken up by other contractors. 
297 



ROBERT FULTON 

"Robert Fulton is going to be a great 
man this year!" observed a casual ap- 
praiser. 

"Sir," he was answered, "Robert Ful- 
ton was a great man one hundred years 
ago, or the justice of an American nation 
would not, at the end of a century, recall 
his life with gratitude." 

With the recognition of Robert Ful- 
ton's chief invention, it should be kept in 
mind that he was deeply interested in the 
largest problems of humanity. He was not 
only an inventor, he was also a reformer, a 
statesman, and a patriot. With splendid 
courage born of conviction, he enriched 
the world by original products which he 
was pleased to term "useful arts" and 
sometimes "mental property." To for- 
ward his plans he gave in unstinted meas- 
ure, — his time, his talents, his wealth. It 
is characteristic that in his writings he 
298 



AND THE "CLERMONT" 

capitalized the word "Ideas" and spelled 
"money" with small initial. Thus as the 
world gauges success, — he died poor: 
yet, as a century translates that poverty it 
becomes golden with the wealth of honor. 



17 299 



APPENDIX 



APPENDIX 



(Page 42) 

Manchester, Nov. 4, 1794. 
Messrs. Boui/roN & Watt, 
Gentlemen: 

I shall esteem it a favour to be informed of 
the Expences of a Steam Engine with a Rota- 
tive movement of the purchase of 3 or 4 horses, 
which is designed to be placed in a Boat. You 
Will be so good as to mention what sized boat 
it would occupy, as I wish to have it in as little 
space as Possible, and what you consive will be 
the Expence when finished Compleat in the Boat. 
Whether you have one ready of the dimentions 
specified or how soon one might be finished. 

1 In possession of George Tange, Esq., of Birmingham. 

303 



APPENDIX 

With Weight of Coals which it will consume in 
12 hours, and what Quantity of purchase you 
allow to each horse, as I am anxious to supply 
some Engines of the above dimentions as soon 
as Possible. Your Emediate Answer will much 
oblige 

Your Most obedient and very humble Servant, 

Robt. Fulton. 
Bridgewater Arms, Manchester. 



(Page 48) 

A copy of the "Treatise'* in the Lenox Li- 
brary contains a four-page letter to General 
Bonaparte from the author. In. his preface 
Fulton says: 

The fear of meeting the opposition of envy, 
or the illiberality of ignorance is, no doubt, the 
frequent cause of preventing many ingenious 
men from ushering opinions into the world which 
deviate from common practice. Hence for want 
of energy, the young idea is shackled with timid- 
ity and a useful thought is buried in the im- 

304 



APPENDIX 

penetrable gloom of eternal oblivion. But if 
we consider for a moment, how much men are 
the sons of habit, we shall find that almost the 
whole operations of society are the produce of 
accident and a combination of events, rendered 
familiar by custom, and interwoven into the 
senses by time: insomuch that it is a mere 
chance if the ideas are awakened to a sense of 
particular errors. But in such case, it is for- 
tunate when they arise in a mind active to in- 
vestigate and which feels only contented to rest 
on the basis of reason: for without this, man 
must ever remain in a fixed point and improve- 
ment will be at an end: the adventurer must, 
therefore, arm himself with fortitude to meet the 
attacks of illiberality and prejudice, determined 
to yield to nothing but superior reason; rest- 
ing assured that every virtuous mind will com- 
mend an exertion to remove the rubbish from 
around the Temple of Truth, even should the 
undertaking fail. . . . The mechanic should 
sit down among levers, screws, wedges, wheels, 
etc., like a poet among the letters of the alpha- 
bet, considering them as the exhibition of his 
thoughts ; in which a new arrangement trans- 
mits a new idea to the world. It is for want 

305 



APPENDIX 

of this discrimination that many a worthy man 
of easy demeanor is tormented by the criticism 
of ignorant insignificance; for men of the least 
genius are ever the first to deprecate and the 
last to commend: and for an obvious reason, 
they have not sense to know the produce of 
genius when they see it. 



THE WASHINGTON LETTER 
(Page 50) 

The letter to President Washington, now in 
the possession of the Historical Society of 
Pennsylvania, is reproduced here for the first 
time. 

London, Sept. 12 th , 1796. 

To His Excellency, George Washington, 
President of the United States: 
Sir : By my friend Dr. Edwards I beg leave 
to present you with this publication ; which I 
hope will be honoured with your Perusal at a 
liesure hour : The object of which is to Exhibit 
the Certain mode of Giving Agriculture to every 
Acre of the immense Continent of America ; By 
means of a Creative System of Canals. 

306 



APPENDIX 

When this Subject first entered my thoughts, 
I had no Idea of its Consequence. But the 
scene gradually opened and at Length exhibited 
the most extensive and pleasing prospect of 
Improvements : hence, I now consider it of much 
national Importance; And View it like the ap- 
plication of those particular principles which 
produce certain effects. 

Thus the discovery of the Mariner's Com- 
pass Gave Commerce to the World. 

The Invention of printing is dissipating dark- 
ness and giving a Polish to the Mass of Men. 

And the Introduction of the Creative Sys- 
tem of Canals as certain in their Effects will 
give an Agricultural Polish to every Acre of 
America. I therefore Beg Leave to Submit to 
your Contemplation the Last Chapter with the 
Supplement; which exhibits the Specific System 
for America: And hoping that your Excel- 
lence's Sanction will awaken the Public atten- 
tion to the Subject: 

I Remain with all possible Respect, your 

Excellence's Most Obedient & Very Humble 

Servant „ -^ 

Robert Jbui/roN. 



307 



APPENDIX 

Among the Washington papers 
brary of Congress is this reply: 



in the Li- 



Philad. 14th Deer 1796. 
Robert Fulton Esqr. 
Sir, 

By the hands of Doct. Edwards I was 
favored with your Treatise on the improvement 
of Canal Navigation. For your goodness in 
sending it to me I pray you to accept my best 
thanks. 

The subject is interesting and I dare presume 
is well treated, but as the Book came to me in 
the midst of busy preparatory scenes for Con- 
gress I have not had liesure yet to give it the 
perusal which the importance of such a work 
would merit. I shall do it with pleasure I am 
persuaded when I have. 

With Esteem I am Sir 
Your obt & Obliged 
& Hble Servt 

G°: Washington. 



308 



APPENDIX 



FORTH IN HIS LETTER TO WASHINGTON 
(Page 66) 

The following letter to President Washing- 
ton, written early in the year Fulton went to 
Paris, is in the archives of the Congressional 
Library : 

London, Feby. 5th, 1797. 

Sir: Last evening Mr. King presented me with 
your Letter acquainting me of the Receipt of 
my publication on Small Canals, which I hope 
you will Soon have time to Peruse in a tranquil 
Retirement from the Buisy operations of a Pub- 
lic Life: Therefore Looking forward to that 
period when the whole force of your Mind will 
Act upon the Internal improvement of our 
Country, by Promoting Agriculture and Manu- 
factures: I have little doubt but easy Convey- 
ance, the Great agent to other improvements 
will have its due Weight And meet Your patron- 
age. 

For the mode of Giving easy Communication 
to every part of the American States, I beg 
Leave to draw your Particular attention to the 

309 



APPENDIX 

Last Chapter on Creative Canals; And the ex- 
panded mind will trace down the time when they 
will penetrate into every district Carrying with 
them the means of facilitating Manuel Labour 
and Rendering it productive. But how to Raise 
a Sum in the different States, has been my 
Greatest difficulty. I first Considered them as 
national Works. But perhaps An Incorporated 
Company of Subscribers, who Should be Bound 
to apply half or a part of their profits to ex- 
tension would be the best mode, As it would 
then be their Interest to Promote the work: 
And Guard their emoluments. 

That Such a Work would answer to Sub- 
scribers appears from Such Information as I 
have Collected; Reletive to the Carriage from 
the Neighborhood of Lancaster, to Phila- 
delphia. To me it appears that a Canal on 
the Small Scale might have been made to Lan- 
caster for 120 thousand £ and that the Car- 
riage at 20 Shillings per ton would pay 14 
thousand per Annum, of which, 7,000 to Sub- 
scribers and 7,000 to extension. By this 
means in about 10 years they would touch 
the Susquehanna, and the trade would then 
so much increase as to produce 30,000 per 

310 



APPENDIX 

Annum, of Which 15,000 to Subscribers, the 
Remainder to extension; Continuing thus till 
in About 20 Years the Canal would Run into 
Lake Erie, Yielding a produce of 100,000 per 
annum or 50 thousand £ to Subscribers, which 
is 40 per Cent; hence the Inducement to Sub- 
scribe to such undertakings. 

Proceeding in this manner I find that in 
about 60 or 70 years Penselvania would have 
9360 Miles of Canal, equal to Bringing Water 
Carriage within the easy Reach of every house, 
nor would any house be more than 10 or 14 
Miles from a Canal: By this time the whole 
Carriage of the country would Come on Water 
even to Passengers — and following the present 
Rate of Carriage on the Lancaster Road, it 
appears that the tolls would amount to 4,000,- 
000 per year. Yet no one would pay more 
than 21 shillings and 8d. per ton, whatever 
might be the distance Conveyed, the whole 
would also be pond Canal, on which there is an 
equal facility of conveyance each way. Hav- 
ing made this Calculation to Show that the 
Creative System, would be productive of Great 
emolument, to Subscribers, It is only further 
to be observed that if each State was to Com- 

311 



APPENDIX 

mence a Creative System, It would fill the whole 
Country, and in Less than a Century bring 
Water Carriage within the easy Cartage of 
every Acre of the American States, — Conveying 
the Surplus Labours of one hundred Millions 
of Men. 

Hence Seeing that by System this must be 
the Result, I feel anxious that the Public mind 
may be awakened to their true Interest: And 
Instead of directing Turnpike Roads towards 
the Interior Country, or expending Large 
Sums in River navigations — Which must ever 
be precarious and lead [ — — ] I Could wish 
to See the Labour, and funds applied to Such 
a System As would penetrate the Interior 
Country And bind the whole In the Bonds of 
social Intercourse. 

The Importance of this Subject I hope will 
plead my excuse for troubeling you with So 
Long a Letter, And in expectation of being 
Favoured with your thoughts on the System 
and mode of Carrying it into effect, I Remain 
with the utmost 

Esteem and Sincere Respect 
Your Most Obedient Servant 

Robt. Fulton. 

His Excellency George Washington. 
312 



APPENDIX 

TRANSLATION : 

ROBERT FULTON TO GENERAL BONAPARTE. 

ORIGINAL IN LENOX LIBRARY, NEW YORK 

(Page 67) 

To General Bonaparte. 

Citizen General: Citizen Perier having in- 
formed me that you would like to have acquain- 
tance with my Work on the System of Small 
Canals, I take the liberty of presenting you 
with a copy and shall be happy if you find 
therein some means of improving the industries 
of the French Republic. 

To this copy I have added two memoirs 
which I purpose putting before the eyes of the 
Directory. One relates to the absolutely new 
system of Small Canals which if it is adopted, 
will produce the most considerable portion of 
the public revenue. In the other I try to show 
the favorable results of this system and at the 
same time, the necessity of an entire liberty of 
Commerce. 

These plans of improvement and my reflec- 
tions upon Commerce, are elaborations of the 
following ideas which I regard as the base of 
political welfare, and which seem to me worthy 
of the consideration of all republicans, of all 

313 



APPENDIX 

friends of humanity: Labor is the source of 
riches of all kinds; it follows that the more 
numerous the industrious and useful class, the 
more a country should gain in riches and com- 
fort. It is then to the interest of each Nation 
to draw from its natural advantages every fea- 
ture possible. To that end Governments must 
apply themselves above all to domestic improve- 
ments and search continually to increase the 
number of useful individuals ; and only by 
eliminating as far as possible the causes of war, 
will men be enabled to devote themselves to in- 
dustrious works, and reduce beggary. 

Among all the causes of wars, it is true, 
each day sees disappear that which relates to 
Kings, Priests, and the things which accom- 
pany them. But nevertheless Republics them- 
selves will not be exempt from melancholy 
quarrels, in as much as they do not separate 
themselves from the erroneous systems of ex- 
clusive commerce and distant possessions. 
Therefore, all who love their fellow men should 
try to search to destroy these errors. Ambi- 
tion itself should not search for glory further 
than to show to men the way of truth, and to 
set aside the obstacles which hinder nations 

314 



APPENDIX 

from arriving at a lasting peace, — for what 
glory can survive that does not receive the 
sanction of Philosophy? 

To liberate the nations, Citizen General, you 
have executed vast enterprises, and the glory 
you have achieved should be as durable as time. 
Who then could render a more efficacious ap- 
proval of the projects which can contribute to 
the general welfare? It is with this idea that 
I submit my work to you, hoping that if you 
find there some useful truths you will vouch- 
safe the support of your powerful influence, 
and in fact, favor projects the execution of 
which should render more happy millions of 
men. Could virtuous genius find a more de- 
lightful satisfaction? It is from this point of 
view that interior improvements and liberty of 
commerce become of the highest importance. 

If success crowns the eiforts of France 
against England, it will only remain for her 
to terminate gloriously this long war by ac- 
cording liberty to commerce and by compelling 
other powers to adopt this system. Political 
liberty would thus acquire that degree of per- 
fection and of extent of which it is susceptible, 
and Philosophy would see with joy the Olive 

18 315 



APPENDIX 

Branch of Eternal Peace Sheltering Science 
and Industry. With salutation and respect, 

Robert Fulton. 
Paris, 12 Floreal, An 6 



LETTER FROM ROBERT FULTON TO JOSHUA GIL- 
PIN, DATED PARIS, NOVEMBER THE 20TH, 1798 

(Page 72) 

I thank you for . . . Mr. Chapman's ob- 
servations on my system of small canals — 
which observations I expect will tend to bring 
the subject to discussion and Render its im- 
portance understood. . . . But for the plea- 
sure of Seeing my Canal system stand in its 
true Light I look to America, and to America I 
look for the perfecting of all my plans — which 
plans are not numerous but their Consequences 
perhaps may be immense on the future im- 
provement and happiness of America. The 
plan of my Nautilus [Fulton's plunging boat] 
you say is not liked, this must be because its 
Consequences are not understood. The Idea 
is yet an Infant, but I think I see in it all the 
nerve and muscle of an Infant hercules which 

316 






APPENDIX 

at one grasp will Strangle the Serpents which 
poison and Convulse the American Constitu- 
tion. 

Every man who has the least pretension to 
expanded Reflection and a Knowledge of the 
interest of nations must admit that a perfect 
free trade is of the utmost importance, but a 
free trade or in other words a free Ocean, is 
particularly Important to America. I would 
ask anyone if all the American difficulties dur- 
ing this war is not owing to the Naval systems 
of Europe and a Licensed Robbery on the 
ocean? how then is America to prevent this? 
Certainly not by attempting to build a fleet to 
cope with the fleets of Europe, but if possible 
by Rendering the European fleets useless. A 
letter has not Room for much on this head, my 
Reasons on the Subject shall make their ap- 
pearance in time, and I hope in manner which 
will Carry Conviction — From what I have 
heard, some of my friends fear that I may 
become an instrument in the hands of party — 
but of this I believe there is not the least dan- 
ger. If I know myself I believe I am much 
governed by my own Contemplations which 
Contemplations I believe always tend to pro- 

317 



APPENDIX 

mote the Interests of Mankind — at least Such 
is my wish and I Cannot unite with any party 
or polity nor will I aid them unless I Clearly 
see that an obstacle between Society and a 
Lasting peace or improvement Can be Re- 
moved. 

Remember me with the utmost affection to 
Mr and Mrs West tell them how much I love 
them, and wish to imitate their Social Virtues. 
I am happy Ralph has gone to America where 
I hope to return early in the Spring. 

Remember me also to Mr Cartwright's fam- 
ily, with Regard to his engines I will write him. 



COMMISSION. FRENCH ORIGINAL IN THE 

BRITISH MUSEUM. [TRANSLATION] 
(Page 78) 

Citizen Director: From the report of the 
Commissioner named by the Minister of the 
Marine, it would seem that the machine and 
the means by which I have proposed to destroy 
the English Fleet, are pronounced to be prac- 
ticable, — Permit me then to recall to your con- 

318 



APPENDIX 

sideration the consequences which should result 
from the success of this enterprise. The enor- 
mous commerce of England, no less than its 
monstrous government, depends upon its mili- 
tary marine. However if their vessels of war 
are destroyed by means so novel, so hidden and 
so incalculable, the confidence of the sailors 
will be destroyed, and the fleet rendered useless 
in the first moment of its terror. In such a 
state of affairs the Republicans in England 
would rise to facilitate a descent of the French, 
or would change their government of themselves 
without shedding much blood and without any 
expense to France. With England Repub- 
licanized, the seas will be free. The liberty of 
the seas would become a guarantee of perpetual 
peace to all maritime nations. 

By such a peace France will gain more than 
any other nation, because of her great popula- 
tion and the immensity of her resources. Only 
then will humanity perceive, how priceless are 
the principles for which the French have ex- 
pended prodigies of their blood, in all their 
miracles of bravery. 

If at first glance, the means I propose seem 
revolting, it is only because they are extraor- 

319 



APPENDIX 

dinary. They are anything but inhuman ; it 
is certainly the most peaceful and least bloody 
mode that the philosopher could imagine to 
overturn the system of plunder and of per- 
petual war, which has always vexed the maritime 
nations : To give, at last, peace to the earth, 
and to restore men to their natural industries, 
and to a happiness, until now, unknown. I 
salute you with respect, 

Robert Fulton. 
6 Brumaire, An 7. 



SION APPOINTED BY NAPOLEON, FOR THE USE 

OF HIS TORPEDO INVENTION 
(Page 95) 

Having given you a short Sketch of the Suc- 
cession of my Experiments, the mode of using 
these inventions against the enemy is now to be 
considered. On this Point, time and experience 
will make numerous improvements, As in all 
other new inventions and discover modes of 
operation which could not possibly occur to 
me. When powder was invented, its infinite 

320 



APPENDIX 

applications were not thought of, nor did the 
Inventors of the Steam Engine conceive the 
numerous purposes to which I[t] could be ap- 
plied. In like manner it is impossible at pres- 
ent to see the various modes, or the best method 
of using a plunging boat or the Bomb Sub- 
marine. But as far as I have reflected on this 
point, I conceive the best operation to be as 
follows : 

First. 

To construct one or two good plunging boats 
each 36 feet long and 12 feet wide. Boats of 
this capacity would be sufficient to contain 6 
men and air for 8 hours. With provisions for 
[here the paper is torn] days and transport 
from 25 to 30 Bombs at a time. Their cylin- 
ders should be Brass and of a strength to admit 
of descending 60 or 80 feet under water in case 
of need. And they may be constructed to sail 
from 5 to 7 miles an hour ; Hence it may be 
well to observe that; Quick sailing is not one of 
the most important considerations in this in- 
vention. If such a boat is pursued, she plunges 
under water, and as She can remain under 
Water from 4 to 8 hours and make at least 

321 



APPENDIX 

one Mile per hour, She could rise Several miles 
from the place where she plunged to renew her 
air. Thus the enemies ports could be ap- 
proached And particularly under the cover of 
the Night. Nor do I at present see that any 
possible vigilance could prevent these invisible 
engines entering their ports and returning at 
pleasure. 

Second. 

Let there be also some hundreds of Bombs 
Submarine constructed of which there are two 
sorts, — one arranged with clockwork in such a 
manner as to go off at any given period, from 4 
minutes to 4 hours. The other with a Gun lock 
as before mentioned, so as to go off when it 
strikes against a vessel or when a vessel runs 
against it. Each of these carcasses is arranged 
so as to float from 4 to 15 feet under water in 
proportion to the water which the Vessels to be 
attacked, draws. And in this there are two ad- 
vantages, the first is that the bomb is invisible, 
— the second is that when the explosion takes 
place under water, the pressure of the column of 
water to be removed forces the whole action 
of the powder against the vessel : It was the re- 

322 



APPENDIX 

slstance of the water which caused the sloop on 
which I proved the experiment, to be reduced 
to atoms: for water, when struck quick, such 
as the stroke of a cannon ball or the expansion 
of powder, acts like a Solid; and hence the 
whole force was spent on the Sloop, or rather 
passed through the sloop in finding its pas- 
sage to the air by the perpendicular and shortest 
line of resistance. The same effect would no 
doubt be produced on a vessel of any dimen- 
sions by applying a proportionate quantity of 
powder, such as 2, 3 or 4 hundred weight. 

Therefore being prepared with plunging 
boats and Bombs Submarine, let the business of 
the boats be to go with cargos of bombs and let 
them loose with the current into the harbours 
of Portsmouth, Plymouth, Torquay or else 
where. Those with their graplings floating 
under water could not be perceived. Some 
would hook in the cables, bow or stern, or touch 
in their passage: many, no doubt, would miss 
but some would hit, go off and destroy the 
vessels they touched. One or more vessels de- 
stroyed in a Port by such invisible agents would 
render it too dangerous to admit of any vessel 
remaining. And thus the enemy may at all 

323 



APPENDIX 

times be attacked in their own Ports, and by a 
means at once cheap, simple, and I conceive, 
certain in its operation. 

Another mode would be to go with cargoes 
of bombs and anchor them in the entrance of 
rivers so as to cut off or blockade the com- 
merce. 2 or 3 hundred, for example, anchored 
in the Thames or the Channels leading to the 
Thames would completely destroy the commerce 
of that river and reduce London and the Cabi- 
net of St James to any terms. No pilot could 
steer clear of such hidden dangers, — no one 
dare to raise them even if hooked by grapp- 
lings, as they could not tell the moment they 
might touch the Secret Spring which would 
cause the explosion and destruction of every- 
thing around them. No vessel could pass with- 
out the utmost danger of running on one of 
them and Her instant destruction. If this mea- 
sure should ever become necessary some Vessels 
will most certainly be destroyed and their de- 
struction alarm the whole commerce of the 
Thames. By this means the Thames may be 
blockaded and the trade of London completely 
stopped, — nor can the combined fleets of Eng- 
land prevent this kind of attack. And this is 

324 



APPENDIX 

perhaps the most simple and certain means of 
convincing England that Science can put her 
in the power of France and of compelling Her 
to become a humble pleader for the liberty of 
the seas, which She now denies to her neighbors. 
I therefore conceive that it will be good 
policy to commence as soon as possible the con- 
struction of the boats and bombs. If they can 
be finished before the arrival of Peace their 
effects may be proved during this War. Should 
Peace be concluded before they are finished the 
experiments can be continued. Men can be 
exercised in the use of the engines. And it is 
possible in a few years England will see it Her 
best policy never to give France reason to exer- 
cise this invention against her. If England 
cannot prevent the blockade of the Thames by 
the means of plunging boats and Bombs Sub- 
marine, of what use will be to her her boasted 
Navy? The free navigation of the Thames 
nourishes the immense commerce of London, 
and the commerce of London is the Nerve and 
Vitals of the Cabinet of St James. Convince 
England that you have the means of stopping 
that source of riches, and she must submit to 
your terms. Thus, Citizens, I have presented 

325 



APPENDIX 

you with a short account of my experiments 

and Plan for using this invention against the 

Enemy, hoping that under your protection it 

will be carried to perfection and practised to 

promote the Liberty of the Seas. Health and 

Sincere Respect. „ -r, 

r Robert Iulton. 



ACCOUNT OF FULTON-LIVINGSTON PARTNERSHIP 
(Page 117) 

Chancellor Livingston's account of the Ful- 
ton-Livingston partnership, which he drew up 
for the "American and Philosophical Register," 
is in part as follows : 

Robert R. Livingston, when minister in 
France, met with Mr. Fulton and they formed 
that friendship and connexion with each other, 
to which a similarity of pursuits generally gives 
birth. He communicated to Mr. Fulton the 
importance of steamboats to their common 
country ; informed him of what had been at- 
tempted in America, and of his resolution to 
resume the pursuit on his return, and advised 
him to turn his attention to the subj ect. It was 

326 



APPENDIX 

agreed between them to embark in the enter- 
prise, and immediately to make such experi- 
ments as would enable them to determine how 
far, in spite of former failures, the object was 
attainable. The principal direction of these 
experiments was left to Mr. Fulton, who united 
in a very considerable degree, practical, to a 
theoretical knowledge of mechanics. After try- 
ing a variety of experiments on a small scale, 
on models of his own invention, it was under- 
stood that he [Mr. Fulton] had developed the 
true principles upon which steamboats should 
be built, and for the want of knowing which all 
previous experiments had failed. But as these 
two gentlemen both knew that many things 
which were apparently perfect when tried on 
a small scale, failed when reduced to practice 
upon a large one, they determined to go to the 
expense of building an operating boat upon 
the Seine. This was done in the year 1803, 
at their joint expense, under the direction of 
Mr. Fulton; and so fully evinced the justice 
of his principles, that it was immediately deter- 
mined to enrich their country by the valuable 
discovery, as soon as they should meet there, 
and in the meantime to order an engine to be 

327 



APPENDIX 

made in England. On the arrival at New York 
of Mr. Fulton, which was not until 1806, they 
immediately engaged in building a boat of, what 
was then considered, very considerable dimen- 
sions. 



(1802) 
(Page 128) 

This imperfection makes me believe that M. 
Des Blanc has not found the proportion which 
his paddles should bear to the bow of the boat, 
or the velocity which they should run in pro- 
portion to the velocity which the boat is in- 
tended to go. — Consequently if he has not 
known the proportions and velocities he has not 
mounted or deposited a description by which 
an artist could construct a Boat to go any 
given number of miles an hour nor in fact has 
he shown the means of constructing a boat 
which can be of use. He has left the propor- 
tions and velocities to be discovered. He has 
not given any rule to make a boat of any given 
dimensions, go any given distance in a given 
time, and hence he has not as yet mounted a 

328 



APPENDIX 

boat to navigate by steam in such a manner 
as to be of use to society ; for this invention to 
be rendered useful does not consist in putting 
oars, paddles, wheels or resisting chains in 
motion by a steam engine — but it consists in 
showing in a clear and distinct manner that it 
is desired to drive a boat precisely any given 
number of miles an hour — what must be the 
size of the cylinder and velocity of the piston? 
What must be the size and velocity of the 
resisting chains? All these things being gov- 
erned by the laws of Nature, the real Invention 
is to find them. — Till the artist knows the nec- 
essary proportions to this and all other sized 
boats he must work in the dark and to great 
uncertainty, and can not be said to have made 
any clear and distinct discovery or useful in- 
vention. 

In a paper entitled, "Observations on Mov- 
ing Boats by Machinery," after a technical 
review of several experiments, Fulton summed 
his conclusions thus : 

I am inclined to think that if each of the 
here mentioned methods are minutely examined 

329 



APPENDIX 

it will be found impossible to drive a boat 8 
miles, and perhaps not 6 miles an hour, by such 
application of the power — and it appears to me 
that it has been owing [to] such defective ap- 
plications of the power and not to any defect 
in the steam engine, that the experiments hith- 
erto made have failed. 1 

He defined specific errors in Rumsey's at- 
tempt in a section of his note-book entitled, 
"Messrs. Parker & Rumsies experiment for 
moving boats." After a consideration of their 
several points, in the form of question and 
answer, he avers: 

It therefore appears that the Engine was not 
loaded to its full power, that the water was 
lifted four times too high and that the tube by 
which the water escaped was more than five 
times too small. 

Reviewing the inconvenience and inadequacy 
of their proposed method of steam application, 
Fulton continued: 

To see clearly the error of this mode of mov- 

1 Unpublished paper in the estate of Fulton's daughter, 
Cornelia Livingston Crary. 

330 



APPENDIX 

ing boats, it is necessary first to know exactly 
how much power is lost by forcing a large col- 
umn of water through a small aperture. And 
for this purpose perhaps some experiments 
must be made. However it is clear that to the 
less height the Water is raised the more of the 
power of the Engine must be lost in raising the 
water above its natural level, and to say noth- 
ing of loading the Vessel with Water. In my 
opinion the power of the Engine cannot be ap- 
plied to advantage by this means. 



LETTER TO SKIPWITH 

Extract from a letter of Robert Fulton to 
Fulner Skipwith, dated Paris, September 20, 
1802. In possession of Charles Henry Hart, 
of Philadelphia. 

(Page 146) 

"The expense of a patent in France is 300 
liv.res for three years, 800 ditto for ten years, 
and 1500 ditto for fifteen years. There can be 
no difficulty in obtaining a patent for the mode 
of propelling a boat which you have shown me ; 
but if the author of the model wishes to be as- 

19 331 



APPENDIX 

sured of the merits of his invention before he 
goes to the expense of a patent, I advise him to 
make a model of a boat in which he can place a 
clock spring, which will give about eight revolu- 
tions. He can then combine the movements so 
as to try oars, paddles, and the leaves which he 
proposes. If he finds that the leaves drive the 
boat a greater distance in the same time than 
either oars or paddles, they consequently are a 
better application of power. About eight years 
ago, the Earl of Stanhope tried an experiment 
on similar leaves, oars and paddles, and found 
oars to be the best. The velocity with which 
a boat moves is in proportion as the sum of the 
surfaces of the oars, paddles, leaves or other 
machine is to the bow of the boat presented to 
the water, and in proportion to the power with 
which such machinery is put in motion. ... If 
the author of the model is fond of mechanics, he 
will be much amused and not lose his time by 
trying the experiment in the manner I propose, 
and this perhaps is the most prudent measure 
before a patent is taken. I am, Sir, with much 

reS P ect ' Yours, 

Robert Fulton. 

332 



APPENDIX 

FULTON'S LETTER TO THE FRENCH COMMISSION 
(Page 144) 

A translation of this letter which has ap- 
peared in "Cassier's Magazine" is here given by 
the courtesy of the Editor. 

Paris, 4- Pluvoise, Year XI 
(25th January, 1803) 

Robert Fulton to Citizens Molar, Bandell, and 
Montgolfier, Friends of the Arts: 
I send you herewith sketch designs of a ma- 
chine which I am about to construct with which 
I propose soon to make experiments upon the 
towing of boats upon rivers by the aid of fire- 
engines. My original object in attempting this 
was to put it in practice upon the great rivers 
of America where there are no roads suitable 
for hauling nor indeed are any hardly prac- 
ticable, and where in consequence the cost of 
navigation by the aid of steam would be put in 
comparison with the labour of men and not 
with that of horses as in France. 

You can see that such a discovery if success- 
ful, would be infinitely more important in Amer- 
ica than in France where there exist everywhere 

333 



APPENDIX 

roads suitable for hauling, and companies es- 
tablished for the transport of merchandise at 
such moderate charges that I doubt very much 
if a steamboat, however perfect it might be, 
could be able to gain anything over horses for 
merchandise. But for passengers it is possible 
to gain something because of the speed. 

In these plans you will find nothing new, since 
this is not the case with paddle wheels, an ap- 
pliance which has often been tried and always 
abandoned because it was believed that it had 
a disadvantageous action in the water. But 
after the experiments which I have made al- 
ready I am convinced that the fault is not in the 
wheel, but in the ignorance concerning its pro- 
portions, its speed, the power required and 
probably in the mechanical combination. 

I have proved by very accurate experiment 
that paddle wheels are much to be preferred 
to bands of paddles, and in consequence, al- 
though the wheels are not a new application, yet 
nevertheless I have combined them in such a 
manner that a large portion of the power of the 
engine acts to propel the boat in the same way 
as if they rolled upon the ground ; the combina- 

334 








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APPENDIX 

tion is infinitely better than anything which 
has yet been done up to the present time, and it 
is, in fact, a new discovery. 

For the transport of merchandise I pro- 
pose to use a boat with an engine arranged 
to draw one or* several loaded barges, each one 
so close to the preceding one that the water can 
not flow between to make resistance. I have 
already done this in my patent for small canals 
and this is indispensable for boats moved by 
fire-engines. ( See second illustration on p. 336. ) 

Suppose the boat A with the engine, presents 
to the water a face of 20 feet, but inclined at 
an angle of 50 degrees, it will be necessary* to 
have a machine of 420 pounds power making 
3 feet per second to move one league per hour 
in still water. If the boats B and C have their 
faces parallel to that of A they will each also 
require a force of 420 pounds that is to say 
1200 pounds for the three, which if they are 
connected in the manner in which I have in- 
dicated, the force of 420 will suffice for all, and 
this great economy of power is too important 
to be neglected in such an undertaking. 



19* 



337 



APPENDIX 

Citizens : 

When my experiments are ready I shall have 
the pleasure to invite you to see them, and if 
they are successful I reserve the privilege of 
presenting my labours to the Republic or of 
taking for them such advantages as the law 
may authorize. At the present time I place 
these notes in your hands in order that if any 
similar project comes before you before my ex- 
periments are completed, they shall not have the 
preference over mine. 

With respectful salutations, 

Robeet Fulton. 
No. 50 Rue Vaugirard. 



THE FULTON PATENTS 
(Page 195) 

The United States Patent Office has recently 
stated that while the Index of Patents says 
that on February 9, 1811, a patent was issued 
to Robert Fulton, the office is unable to furnish 
a copy of it, as the records of this and other 
early patents were destroyed in the Patent 

338 



APPENDIX 

Office fire of 1836. It is well established, how- 
ever, that Fulton's first United States patent 
was obtained February 11, 1809, and a supple- 
mentary patent February 9, 1811. 

In his Notes on the Patent of 1809, in pos- 
session of one of his heirs, Fulton claimed that 
the essential parts of his invention of the steam- 
boat were fourteen in number: 

"First: The mode of communicating the 
power from the piston rod of the engine to the 
water wheels without the common beam and in 
such a manner as not to strain or impair the 
boat. 

Second: I am the first who discovered the 
superiority of water wheels over other modes 
for gaining a purchase on the water, and I am 
the first who applied water wheels to a steam 
boat. They are described in the specification, 
one on each side of the boat and their number 
of arms, diameter, and size of propelling boards 
minutely detailed. 

Third: The wheel guards around them are 
also detailed. 

Fourth: I have shown that steamboats must 
be built four or more times the length of their 

339 



APPENDIX 

breadth of beam; all sloops and river craft are 
three times the length of their breadth of beam. 

Fifth: The bow and stern should be sharp 
to angles of at least 60 degrees. The bow 
should not be full like sloops, for two reasons ; 
that being long they cannot rise on the waves 
like sloops but must cut through them, and 
being sharp the resistance is less. 

Sixth : After mentioning the combinations the 
success in building a steamboat depends upon 
knowing how to calculate the resistances, the 
proportions, and velocities of the parts and for 
this purpose the rules are laid down exact, in 

Seventh: A table of the resistance of the 
water and how to calculate the total resistance 
of the boat while running from one to six miles 
an hour, unless this be first ascertained it would 
be impossible to tell what strength of steam 
engine would be required. 

Eighth: The specifications show the power 
necessary to drive the boat and the power con- 
sumed by taking the purchase on the water and 
thus arriving at the whole power required the 
power of the steam engine may be calculated. 

Ninth : Shows the size of the cylinder, the pis- 
ton running two feet a second. 

340 



APPENDIX 

Tenth: Shows the diameter and velocity of 
the water-wheels. 

Eleventh: Shows the size of the propelling 
boards. 

Twelfth: I am the first who combined sails 
with steam to drive a boat. 

Thirteenth: Shows the steering wheel and 
pilot near the middle of the boat and over the 
station of the engineer. 

Fourteenth: How to get the merchandise in 
steamboats up rapids." 



(Pages 342-345) 

A detailed description of the first steamboat 
was deposited in 1858, at the New York His- 
torical Society by Richard Varick De Witt, of 
Albany, whose familiarity with the boat dated 
from earliest boyhood when each week he had 
seen it tied at the wharf opposite his home. 
This account coincides with the main points, 
as set forth by Mr. Fulton himself in his brief 
description, already quoted, and is indorsed 
as authentic by Mr. Riley Bartholomew, an 
officer of the boat. 

341 



APPENDIX 

Description of the Steam Boat 
North River of Clermont 

The old North River, as it was familiarly 
called, was an enlargment and reconstruction 
of the Clermont, the experimental vessel first 
built by Mr. Fulton. 

The hull must have been about 150 feet 
long and 18 wide and about 8 feet deep from 
the bow for 126 feet. Thence for 24 feet the 
stern was elevated above the main deck about 
three feet forming a quarter deck which cov- 
ered the Ladies Cabin and the lobby between 
that cabin and the main or dining cabin. The 
descent into this lobby was by 3 or 4 steps in 
the centre of the vessel. The star board cor- 
ner of the lobby formed the captain's office, 
the larboard corner the passage into the dining 
cabin. In front of the Engine Room which oc- 
cupied the waist of the vessel, was a small front 
cabin, and between that and the bow a fore- 
castle for the crew. The engine occupied the 
centre of the room leaving space on one side 
for a kitchen and on the other for a pantry 
and bar. 

The Ladies Cabin contained 6 upper and 4 lower berths. 
The Main Cabin " 14 " " 14 " 

The foreward Cabin " 8 " "8 " 

342 






APPENDIX 

The boat was rigged with a small mast pass- 
ing up through the quarter deck carrying a 
boom and gaff main sail and a larger mast and 
top mast forward of the engine, carrying a 
foreguard and square sail, over which was set a 
flying top sail. On a fore stay extending to 
a short bow-sprit, was a jib, and studding sails 
were at times carried from the yard, having 
booms projecting from the gunwale of the boat. 
The foremast was fitted between upright stan- 
dards which rose from the keel to 6 feet above 
the deck, and the mast was pivoted between 
them so as to be lowered down upon the bow- 
sprit during head winds. 

A pair of yawls, for the landing of pas- 
sengers were hung on iron cranes on each side 
of the main deck aft, and the space where the 
wheel guards finish aft into the hull were shaped 
into steps, to facilitate the passage into and 
from the boats when in the water. 

The boiler was between the engine and main 
cabin, its top being covered with a slightly 
elevated deck. The Engine (one of Watt and 
Boultons, double acting condensing) consisted 
of a cylinder with a piston 2 feet in diameter, 
having a stroke of 4 feet, standing upon an iron 
condenser. In front of the cylinder stood the 

343 



APPENDIX 

air pump [drawing]. On the top of the piston 
rod was an iron cross head sliding between 
guides on the gallows frame, which reached from 
the bottom framing of the vessel to some 12 feet 
above its deck. From the cross head down on 
each side of the cylinder depended a rod the 
lower end of which was pivoted to the end 
of a bell crank lever. The fulcrum and axis of 
the levers lying in front of the cylinder [draw- 
ing]. The other arms of these levers, being 
bent upward and at right angles to the first lev- 
ers, the pitmans or shackle bars, were pivoted to 
their upper ends. The shackle bars extended 
forwards and their front ends were pivoted to 
the peripheries of crank wheels attached to the 
inboard ends of the water wheel shafts. These 
wheels were toothed and cogged into the teeth 
of pinion wheels affixed to the axis of a fly 
wheel, which revolved in the centre of the en- 
gine. The valves of the cylinder were poppet 
valves operated by the clack gearing, then in use. 
The steering was done by a wheel placed be- 
tween the gallows frame and the smoke pipe 
the wheel ropes passing along the sides of the 
vessel, to a standard attached to the tail of the 
rudder blade which was a flat board of about 

344 



APPENDIX 

8 feet long and four wide. To enable the boat 
to be turned more promptly than the rudder 
could do it, the water wheel shafts were divided 
at the gunwale of the boat, and there connected 
with couplings so that the wheel shaft proper 
could be detached from the crank shaft, and 
thus either wheel be kept in motion by the 
engine whilst the other was inoperative. 

In the Clermont the fly wheels were hung 
outside of the hull and just in front of the water 
wheels. Upon one occasion, when by accident 
both the water wheels had been destroyed, the 
engineer had recourse to the expedient of at- 
taching small paddle boards to the rim of the 
fly wheels by which means the voyage was com- 
pleted without any great loss of time. This 
fact I had from a passenger then on board the 
steam boat. 

Colden's Life of Fulton together with The 
Annals of Albany by J. Munsell Vol. VI. pub- 
lished in 1855, furnish a very full account of 
the facts and incidents of this first successful 
effort at Steam Navigation. 

Rich Varick De Witt 
Albany, Oct. 28th 1858. 



20 



345 




o S 
5 * 








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■Si Z 

III 

en 7. 3 

... 5) - 



< U o 

U ^ V3 



-»'l 



APPENDIX 



The deposition which Fulton asked Thorn- 
ton to sign was as follows : it is given in full 
because it so thoroughly defines Fulton's several 
points of originality: 

"William Thornton, Director of the Patent 
Office of the United States at the City of Wash- 
ington, in the district of Columbia, being first 
duly sworn deposeth and saith, That in all es- 
says to navigate boats with steam he has never 
known a steam boat to be more than 50 tons 
burthen, until the one built on the Hudson's 
River by Robert Fulton : That to the best of 
his knowledge the said Robert Fulton is the 
first who ever applied a water wheel on each side 
of a boat to be navigated by the power of steam 
and so arranged the water wheels that he can 
use them in and out of gear so as to try the 
movements of the engine without working the 
wheels ; or work one wheel at a time ; That he, 
the said Fulton, is the first who put guards 
round the outside of water wheels applied 
to a boat, so as to support the outer ends of 

1 In possession of Judge Peter T. Barlow. 

350 



APPENDIX 

the axels of said wheels and guard them from 
injury by vessels Wharves & having formed the 
guards he consequently is the inventor of every 
convenience which the guards afford, such as 
Steps from the stern end of the guards to enter 
the row boats, Space in and on guards for 
carrying fuel, bins in the guards for various 
materials, Coverings to the Water wheels to pre- 
vent their entangling in ropes or throwing water 
on deck to the annoyance of passengers ; Con- 
veniences such as water closets on the fore part 
of said wheel guards for passengers — That 
the said Fulton is the first who has so 
arranged the rudder of his Steamboat as that 
the pilot may stand near the centre of the boat 
and near the engineer to give him orders when 
to stop or put the engine in motion. That the 
said Fulton is the first who has combined a 
Gib fore sail top Sail studden Sails and Square 
sail with a steam engine to drive a boat 1 and 
placed his Masts one before the machinery and 

1 [Fulton's note. ] Thornton says he had or intended to put 
sails to a steam boat which was to go round from Phila. to 
New Orleans ; it was however never done and is one of his 
embrio and useless Ideas. Insist on this. The boat was 
20 tons. 

351 



APPENDIX 

the other so far aft as to leave a convenient 
Space between the two for spreading an awn- 
ing for the comfort of the passengers and which 
space is not interrupted by booms or ropes such 
as annoy passengers in the usual boats which 
navigate by wind only. The said Robert Ful- 
ton is also the first who has, to his knowledge, 
used triangular beams in the body of his boat 
to communicate the power from the piston rod 
to the Water wheels and work his air pump. 
And John Stevens, Esq. of Broadway in the 
City of New York, is the first to the best of his 
knowledge, who has communicated the power 
from the piston rod to the water wheels by 
means of crank wheels and shackle bars which 
work on each side of the Cylender. 

The said William Thornton also deposeth 
and saith that to the best of his knowledge 
there is no steam boat now in actual and per- 
manent operation anywhere in Europe, nor ever 
has been ; all attempts of the kind in Europe 
have been merely experiments which, failing of 
any useful result, have been abandoned as use- 
less. 

(Signed) 



352 



APPENDIX 

Now, my friend, [Barlow] all this is fact 
which you will insist on with Thornton and tell 
him if pirates can thus copy me he has no chance 
at any time. 1 ' 

Apparently the deposition was not signed, for 
Barlow wrote to Fulton the following month, 
apropos of Thornton: 

"The poor fellow can depose nothing' now 
unless it be his bones. He has not recovered 
from his fever & it is thought by some that he 
never will. He has not been out of the house 
since the day he made the other deposition. I 
called and took him out that morning in my 
carriage before breakfast and kept him at the 
judge's till eleven o'clock when I sent him home. — 
It seems he was sick with the fever when I took 
him out, tho' I did not know it. I leave your 
papers for him with Cutting who promises to 
make him attend to it as soon as possible. 
Latrobe, as I told you, is very anxious to aid 
you in establishing the originality and high im- 
portance of your invention." 



21 



353 



APPENDIX 



PAINTINGS BY ROBERT FULTON 

Compiled by Alice Crary Sutcliffe for the Official Art Catalogue 

of the Hudson-Fulton Commission Celebration, 

Metropolitan Museum of Art 

Samuel Beach (miniature) ; owned by H. A. 
Boardman, St. Paul, Minnesota. 

John Wilkes Kittera (miniature) ; owned by 
Pennsylvania Historical Society. 

Mrs. John Wilkes Kittera (miniature) ; owned 
by Pennsylvania Historical Society. 

Clementina Ross (miniature) ; owned by Penn- 
sylvania Academy of Fine Arts. 

Margaret Ross (pastel, 1787) ; owned by Mrs. 
C. S. Bradford, Philadelphia. 

Benjamin Franklin (oil, 1787) ; bought in 1891 
by C. F. Gunther, of Chicago. 

Portrait of a Young Gentleman; mentioned in 
Royal Academy Catalogue, 1791. 

Portrait of Two Young Gentlemen; mentioned 
in Royal Academy Catalogue, 1791. 

354 



APPENDIX 

Portrait of a Lady (Mrs. Murray) ; mentioned 
in Royal Academy Catalogue, 1793. 

Lady Jane Grey (fancy picture) ; mentioned in 
Smith's "Catalogue of Portraits" as having 
been painted about 1793. 

Louis XVI in Prison taking Leave of his Fam- 
ily; known through Sherwin's engraving, of 
which only three prints are known to exist. 

Family of Benjamin West; mentioned in Col- 
den's "Life of Robert Fulton," but present 
whereabouts unknown. 

Illustrations for Barlow's "Columbiad"; repro- 
duced in Reigart's "Life of Fulton." 

"Incendie de Moscow" (panorama). 

Joel Barlow (oil) ; owned by Judge Peter T. 
Barlow, New York City. 

Joel Barlow (oil) ; owned by Robert Fulton 
Ludlow, Claverack, New York. 

Robert Fulton (oil, 1795) ; owned by Mrs. 
Robert Fulton Blight, New York. 

Portrait of Charlotte Villette (1802); men- 
tioned in "Life and Letters of Joel Barlow," 
by C. B. Todd. 

355 



APPENDIX 

Colonel Michael McCurdy (miniature) ; owned 
by Mrs. George McHenry, Philadelphia. 

Joseph Bringhurst (oil, 1786) ; owned by Ed- 
ward Bringhurst, Wilmington, Del. 

Mrs. Joel Barlow ; mentioned in letter of Barlow 
to Fulton (1800). 

Abraham Baldwin, U. S. Senator ; a drawing of 
this portrait appears in the Centennial vol- 
ume of Washington's Inauguration. It was 
made by Emanuel Leutze, after the original. 

Earl Stanhope (oil) ; owned by Herman Liv- 
ingston, Catskill Station, New York. 

John Livingston (oil) ; owned by Robert Fulton 
Ludlow, Claverack, New York. 

Miniature of Cunningham ; owned by Mrs. 

Stevens, widow of Bishop Stevens of Penn- 
sylvania. 

Mrs. Walter Livingston (oil), mother of Mrs. 
Robert Fulton; owned by Mrs. Hermann H. 
Cammann, New York. The portrait is 
painted on wood, and upon the back is an un- 
finished portrait of Barlow Fulton, only son 
of Robert Fulton. 

356 



INDEX 



INDEX 



Abbe St. Pierre, 99 
Adams, John Quincy, 295 
Allen, John, M.D., 112 
Alossen, Solomon, 195 
America, United Colonies of, 

18; friend of, 55; ship the 

engine for, 164, 185 
Andre, Major John, parole 

of, 18; tutor, 19; talent for 

art, 19 
Arnal, Abbe, 111 

Barker, Mr. Jacob, 187 

Barker, Sarah, 187 

Barlow, Joel, letter from, 
42; in Paris, 62; Fulton 
resides with, 63; Fulton's 
portrait of, 66; aids Fulton 
in experiments, 67; men- 
tions Cartwright's engine, 
72 ; forwards drafts to Ful- 
ton, 74; letter to his wife, 
75, 76; informs Fulton of 
British scrutiny, 98; Ful- 
ton's letter to, 106; deposi- 
tion of, 123; passport for, 
159; letter of, 167; letter 
of 1806 from Fulton, 171; 
prophecy of, 182; letter 
from Fulton (Clermont), 
233; writes to Chancellor 
Livingston, 235 ; receives 
Thornton's deposition, 286; 



writes of proposed canal, 
290; writes to Fulton, 353 

Barlow, Mrs. Joel, 73 

Barton, Benjamin T., 19 

Bell, Henry, 111 

Blight, Robert Fulton, 180 

Bonaparte, General, Fulton's 
letter to, 304 ; Fulton writes 
to, 313 

Bossu[t], M., witnesses Ful- 
ton's experiment, 125, 150 

Boulton and Watt, engine 
of, 126; Fulton's letter to, 
151, 157, 158; payment of 
engine, 185; Fulton's first 
letter to, 303 

Bramwell, Sir Frederick, 42 

Bridgewater, Duke of, 38; 
canal-building, 41 

Brindley, engineer, 38 

Brink, Captain Andrew, 224 ; 
Fulton's first meeting with, 
225; Fulton's payment to, 
226; Fulton's letter to, 253 

Brownne, Charles, 182; pay- 
ment to, 189, 190 

Burd, Edward, letter from, 
12 

Bushnell, David, 68 



Calhoun, J. B., 217 
Cammann, Mrs. Hermann 
H., 160 



359 



INDEX 

Canal navigation, 39; sys- Colden, Cadwallader D., 40, 

tem, development of, 45; 42; writes of Rumsey and 

treatise on, 47; construe- Fitch, 128; statement of, 

tive system of, 61; exten- 181; describes voyage, 211; 

sion, letters on, 66; Erie, agreement for railways 

67; Fulton's, from Paris to with, 268 

Dieppe, 71 ; Fulton's expo- Coleridge, Samuel Taylor, 46 

sition of, 309 Commission, French, Ful- 

Carnot, French statesman, 62 ton's letter of 1799, 318 

Cartwright, Edmund, pat- Commission, French, Ful- 

ents of, 72; engines of, 318 ton's letter of 1803, 333 

Cave, Messrs., & Son, 185 Cook, Mrs. Isabella, 30 

Church, Edward, 145 Cope, Mr. John, 19 

Clermont, the, 154; first Coruth, Peter, payment to, 

orders engine for, 151; 189 

named, 182; engine for, Crary, estate of Cornelia L., 

185; boiler of, 185; comple- ' 116, 159 

tion of, 190; expenditures Crary, Rev. Robert Fulton, 

for, 189; Fulton's descrip- manuscript owned by, 135; 

tion of, 191; facsimile of, engraving sent to, 226 

196; preliminary test of, Cunningham, John, 188 
197; voyage up Hudson, 

202, 219; further de- Dearborn, General, 288 

scription of, 204; newspa- Delaplaine's "Repository," 

per notice of, 220; Fulton 12 

writes to "American Citi- Demologus, the, 175 

zen" of, 222; country-seat Des Blanc, M., Fulton views 

of Robert R. Livingston, patent of, 127; description 

223 ; men employed on, 225 ; of patent of, 328 

stewardess of, 226; M. Mi- De Witt, Richard Varick, 

chaux's account of, 228; is 341 

fitted for traffic, 236; first Directory, French, 61, 77 

advertisement for, 239; new Dyke, Charles, 227 
announcement of, 241 ; lost 

paddle-wheel, 245; news England, William Henry in, 

item, 245 ; Judge John Q. 31 ; Robert Fulton visits, 

Wilson's account of, 246; 34; Robert Fulton's coun- 

established as a packet, try tour in, 35; waterways 

253 ; mishap to, 256 ; appre- of, 39 ; united efforts of, 

ciation of passengers of, 51 ; attitude of, 57 ; terms 

257; enlargement of, 259; of peace with France, 61 

final disposition of, 285 English fleet, 79 

360 



INDEX 



English patents, 45 

Erie Canal, Fulton's first 

mention of, 67 
Erying, George William, 

152; American Consul, 156; 

Fulton's letter to, 163 
"Essay to the Friends of 

Mankind," 180 

Fitch, John, visits William 
Henry, 33; Dr. Thurston's 
estimate of, 34; experi- 
ments, 110; project of, 126; 
Colden writes of, 128; 
abandonment of plan by, 
129 

Forfait, M., Secretary of the 
Marines, 82; reply of, 96 

Fox, administration of, 170 

France, terms of peace with 
England, 61 ; patents in, 
62; government of, 77; 
officials of, 96 

Franklin, Benjamin, friend- 
ship with, 26; letter from, 
30 

Free trade, universal, 50; 
"Thoughts on," 51 

French, Fulton's study of, 66 

French army, victories of, 
65 

French democracy, 56 

French Directory, 61; Ful- 
ton addresses paper to, 51 

French nation, 52 

French Revolution, 52 

Fulton, origin of family, 3 

Fulton, Aunt, 9 

Fulton, Mr. and Mrs., por- 
traits of, 9 

Fulton, Robert, birth of, 3, 
7; mother of, 4, 17; Dela- 



plaine's estimate of, 13; 
early interest in mechanics, 
13; school anecdotes of, 
14; artistic talent of, 20, 
21 ; designs firearms, etc., 
21; makes paddles for fish- 
ing-boat, 23; goes to Phila- 
delphia, 25; in Directory, 
26; ill health of, 29; buys 
farm, 29; buys lots in 
Washington, 30 ; conveys 
lots, 30; goes to England, 
30; Dr. Thurston's tribute, 
34; residence art Powder- 
ham Castle, 36; sojourn in 
Devonshire, 37 ; "abandon- 
ment of art, 39; goes to 
Birmingham, 41 ; correspon- 
dence with Watt, 42; first 
inception of steam naviga- 
tion, 42 ; patent for inclined 
plane, 45; secures English 
patents, 45; invention for 
spinning flax, 45; invention 
for twisting hemp rope, 
45; invention of dredging- 
machine, 46; patents "The 
Market or Passage Boat," 
46; patents a "Dispatch 
Boat," 46; partnership with 
John Owen, 46; meets 
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 
46 ; publishes "Treatise," 
47; as civil engineer, 48; 
advocacy of free trade, 50; 
letter to David Morris, 51 ; 
his political views, 56; goes 
to Paris, 62; resides with 
Barlow, 63; invents first 
French panorama, 63; ad- 
vanced studies, 66; paints 
portraits in Paris, 66; ex- 



361 



INDEX 



periments with submarine 
explosives, 67; his friends 
doubtful of his experi- 
ments, 71 ; assisted by 
Cartwright, 72 ; constancy 
to his country, 73; at 
Havre, 73; builds the Nau- 
tilus, 79; at Brest, 79; 
word from Napoleon, 79; 
contract with Napoleon, 80; 
explains his refusal to Na- 
poleon, 82; letter of, to 
Napoleon's commission, 84; 
second letter of, to Napo- 
leon's commission, 89 ; 
demonstration of his sub- 
marine boats, 95; terms 
with British Government, 
101; terms of arbitration 
with England, 102, 106; 
declines offer to suppress 
torpedo, 102; agreement 
with Livingston, 105, 326; 
knowledge of early at- 
tempts, 115; partnership 
with Livingston, 117; trial 
boat on the Seine, 124, 145; 
estimates values of Rum- 
sey and Fitch's devices, 
128; notes on speed, 139; 
joint expense with Living- 
ston, 143; offers steamboat 
to French Government, 144 ; 
letter to Fulner Skipwith, 
147; account of French 
boat of, 150; writes to 
Boulton and Watt, 151; 
reply of Napoleon, 160; 
plans return to America, 
166; letter from Barlow, 
167; arbitration with Brit- 
ish Government, 171; re- 



turns to America, 182; 
expenses of, 185; secures 
additional funds, 191; de- 
scription of Clermont, 192; 
plans of the Clermont, 196; 
describes trial on East 
River, 197; account of first 
voyage up the Hudson, 202; 
betrothal of, 211; personal 
descriptions of, 213, 214, 
217, 255; writes to Barlow 
of Mississippi navigation, 
221; letter of, to the 
"American Citizen," 222 ; 
announces success of Cler- 
mont, 233; letter to Chan- 
cellor Livingston, 236 ; 
advertises the Clermont, 
239; describes enlargement 
of Clermont, 259; contem- 
plates steam for railways, 
265; letter from Chancellor 
Livingston to, 266; agrees 
to build a railway, 268; de- 
fines priority of invention, 
286; plans for foreign riv- 
ers, 293; letter to Wash- 
ington, 306 ; "Observations 
on Moving Boats," 329; 
paintings by, 354 

Fulton, Robert, Senior, 3, 4, 
8, 9, 13 

Fulton Ferry to B rookly n, 227 

Fulton the First, 175 

"Fulton's Folly," 188, 290 

Germany, 51 ; Carnot flees 

to, 62 
Gilpin, Joshua, 71; letter 

from Fulton to, 316 
Gregory, Dr., emissary from 

British Government, 98 



362 



INDEX 



Gumpf, Christopher, 22; Johnson, Mr., payment to, 

Gumpf, Deter, 23; fishing- 190 
boat of, 24 Juliana Library, 4 



Hale, Dr. Edward Everett, 

145 
Hammond, Mr., 159 
Havre, Fulton at, 73 
Hawksbury, Lord, 156 
Heath, Captain, 268 
Henry IV of France, 99 
Henry, William, of Lan- 
caster, 31 ; meets Herr 
Shoepff, 32; meets John 
Fitch, 33; Dr. Thurston's 
estimate of, 34; experi- 
ments of, 110 
Herbert, Sir Thomas, 68 
Hodgkin, Eliot, 115; letter 

forwarded by, 294 
Hogl, Mr., 30 

Houdon, Jean Antoine, bust 
of Fulton, 66 
Hudson-Fulton Commis- 
sion, 196 
Hudson River, 41, 110 
Hudson River Day Line, 139 
Hunt, Mrs., 187 
Huntingdon, Mr., 156 

India, steamboats for, 294 
Irving, Washington, 180 
Isch & Messersmith, 22 

Jackson, Mr., payment to, 
189; Fulton's mention of, 
254 

Jefferson, Thomas, 164; let- 
ter to, 165; President, 175; 
canal proposition of, 288 

Johnson, Caleb, schoolmas- 
ter, 13 



Kalorama, 171 
Kilkenny, Ireland, 3 
Kirby, Mr. Frank E., 196 

Lancaster, town of, 4, 8, 12 
Presbyterian church, 4, 12 
Union Fire Company, 4 
Center Square, 4; Penn 
Square, 4 ; Benj amin West's 
art in, 10; Court House, 12, 
17; Andre in, 18; school- 
house, 20; prisoners at, 24; 
Fulton's mother at, 25; 
townsman, William Henry, 
31; Herr Shoepff in, 32 

Lancaster County, Little 
Britain, 3, 7 

Lane, Thomas, 294 

Langlois, Colonel Jean 
Charles, 65 

La Place, Pierre-Simon, 83, 
84, 89 

Leamont, J. R., Esq., 282 

Le Blanc, experiments of, 126 

Le Fevre, Robert, portrait 
of Fulton, 66 

Little Britain, birthplace of 
Fulton, 3 ; township re- 
named, 7; Robert Fulton 
visits, 23 

Livingston, Brockhurst, 
Esq., 152 

Livingston, Clermont, 197, 
201, 238 

Livingston, E. Brockholst, 
197 

Livingston, Edward, 238 

Livingston, Edward P., 123 



363 



INDEX 









Livingston, Gilbert R., 209 

Livingston, Miss Harriet, 
210, 211, 212, 218 

Livingston, Colonel Harry, 
210 

Livingston, Miss Helen, 209; 
describes Fulton, 214 

Livingston, John Henry, 
document in possession of, 
117; captain's book owned 
by, 269 

Livingston, John R., 210, 
212 

Livingston, John Swift, 210, 
212 

Livingston, Kate, 210 

Livingston, Robert L., wit- 
nessed contract, 122; re- 
newed contract, 123 

Livingston, Chancellor Rob- 
ert R., interview with Joel 
Barlow, 72; agreement 
with, 105; experiments of, 
111; partnership with Ful- 
ton, 117; renewal by heirs 
of contract, 123; then resi- 
dent in France, 124; sug- 
gests a company, 127; 
country place of, 182; "new 
boat" of, 209; announces 
betrothal of Fulton, 211; 
reply of, 212; letter from 
Fulton, 236, 259; letter to 
Fulton, 266; account of 
partnership, 326 

Livingston, Mr. "Walter, 210; 
estate of, 218 

Livingston, William, Gover- 
nor of New Jersey, 209 

Longstreet, William, 112 

Louisiana, acquisition of, 
221 



Lym, Mr., Clermont bedding 

bought from, 224 
Lyman, General, 172 

Malmesbury, Earl of, 61 

Martin, Mr., payment to, 189 

Mason, General, 166 

Maxwell, Mr., payment to, 
189 

McNeven, Dr., 210 

Melville, Lord, 101, 102 

Messersmith, Isch &, 22 

Michaux, M., account of 
steamboat, 228; on passen- 
ger list, 233 

Mifflin, Governor of Penn- 
sylvania, 50 

Miller, Nicholas, 14 

Minister of the Marine, 78; 
letter from the, 80; letter 
to the, 95 

Mississippi River, 33; steam 
navigation upon, 111; 
everything proved for, 201; 
utility for, 220; merchan- 
dise on, 235; velocity of, 
238; canal from, 288 

Missouri River, merchandise 
on, 235 

Mitchell, Dr., 210 

Monge, Gaspard, 83, 84, 89 

Monroe, Hon. James, 153; 
Fulton's letter to, 155; de- 
cision of, 157 

Montgomery, General, 18 

Morey, Samuel, 112 

Morris, David, 30; nephew 
of Benjamin West, 30; let- 
ter to, 30; Fulton writes to, 
51 

Morris, Mrs. Mary, 30 

Morris, Robert, 210 



364 



INDEX 



Morris, Mrs. Thomas, 210 
"Moscow, l'lncendie de," 64 
Murray, Mrs., portrait of, 
35 

Napoleon, army of, 64; 
sends word to Fulton, 79; 
appoints commission, 82 ; 
counselors of, 97; Fulton 
and, 160; General Bona- 
parte, 304; Fulton's letter 
to, 313; Fulton's suggestion 
to commission of, 320 
National Institute, 125 
Nautilus, Fulton's subma- 
rine torpedo-boat, 79 ; official 
acceptance of the, 80; ob- 
servation of, by British 
ministry, 156 ; disapproval 
of, 316 
Newcomen, engine of, 112 
North River steamboat, 250; 
regular trips of, 268; pas- 
senger regulations on, 269, 
274; list of passengers on, 
278; companion for, 282; 
description of, 342 

Ohio River, 33 

Owen, John, one-time part- 
ner of Fulton, 46; auto- 
biography of, 46 

Oxford, Edmund Cartwright, 
graduate of, 72 

Panorama, Fulton invents, 
63; subject of, 64; song ex- 
tolling the, 65 ; profits from, 
74 

Paris, canal treatise pub- 
lished in, 50; Joel Barlow 
in, 62; Fulton goes to, 62; 



panorama in, 63; Joel Bar- 
low's letters from, 74; 
partnership formed at, 117 
Parker, Mr., 166 
Parmentier, M., 228, 233 
Patent of 1809, notes on 
the, 339 

Patents, Fulton's, for boats, 
338 
Peace, universal, 61 
Peale, Charles Wilson, 268 
Pennsylvania, 3 ; Chester 
County, 4, 9 ; Oxford Town- 
ship, 4; Fulton Township, 
7; Committee of Safety of, 
18; Hopewell, 29; Washing- 
ton County, 29; Bowen's 
"Sketches of," 31; Gov- 
ernor Mifflin of, 50 ; Robert 
Fulton of, 117 
Perrier, M., 124; unsuccess- 
ful trial of, 127 
Philadelphia, Benj amin West 
at, 11; Fulton goes to, 25; 
Directory of 1785, 26; Ful- 
ton's residence in, 26 
Pitt, Mr., 100 

Plombieres, Fulton at, 137 
Powderham, Baron of, 36; 
a refugee, 37 
Powderham Castle, 36 
Proney, M., Fulton's experi- 
ment in presence of, 125 

Quaker, Caleb Johnson a, 

13; teacher, 14 
Queyton, Citizen, 90; advice 

of, 92; calculation of, 93 
Quicksilver Bob, 21 

Rariton, 282 

Rawle, William, letter to, 12 



365 



INDEX 



Reigart, J. F., 180; letter to, 
217 

Renwick, James, "Biog- 
raphy of Robert Fulton," 
35; quotation from, ,36; 
statement of, 40; descrip- 
tion of Fulton, 255 

Revolution, War of the, 20; 
the French, 51, 56 * 

Roosevelt, Nicholas J., Ill; 
payment to, 284 

Royal Academy, President 
of, 9; West presides at, 
30; catalogue of, 35 

Rumsey, James, 110; proj- 
ect by, 126; Colden writes 
of, 128; errors in attempts 
of, 330 

Russia, united efforts of, 
51 ; Empress of, 55 ; intro- 
duction of steamboats in, 
295 

Sabbaton, Paul A., descrip- 
tion of Fulton, 217; letter 
of, 268 

Schuyler, Cornelia, 218 

Scott, Mrs. Peggy, 30 

Shoepff, Herr, 32 

Sidmouth, .Lord, 100 

Skipwith, Fulner, 146; Ful- 
ton's letter to, 331 

Smith, Helen .Evertson, 210 

Smith, Joseph, 4 

Smith, Miss Mary, 4 

Smith, Colonel Robert, 4 

Smith, Thomas, pavment to, 
189 

Smith, William Mather, 211 

Smith, Mr., 98, 100 

Stanhope, Earl of, 38; Ful- 
ton's correspondence with, 



40; discoveries of, 40; ex- 
periments of, 41, 111, 116; 
friendship with Fulton, 41 ; 
Fulton's acknowledgment 
to, 48; letter from Joshua 
Gilpin, 71 ; his warning to 
British ministry, 97, 100; 
letter from Fulton to, 129 

Stanton, Mr. Samuel Ward, 
192 

Stevens, Mr. John, 191 

"Submarine Navigation & 
Attack," 98 

Suplee, Mr. C. Harrison, 
96 

Svinie, Chevalier, 294; Ful- 
ton's letter to, 295 

Swift, Joseph, 8 

Symington, William, 111 

Teviotdale, 218 

Thames River, 111 

Thayer, James William, 74 

Thornton, William, 286; de- 
position of, 350 

"Thoughts on Free Trade," 
180 

Thurston, Robert H., 33 

Todd, # Charles Burr, 174 

Torpedoes, destructive sys- 
tem of, 61 ; initial idea of, 
67; Fulton's name of, 68; 
definition of "Torpaedo," 
68; declined by British 
Government, 102; Fulton's 
suggestions to French Com- 
mission on, 320 

Torpedo-boats, Fulton's tests 
with, 74; experiments, 75; 
consideration of proj ect, 
170 

"Torpedo Warfare," 180 



366 



INDEX 



"Treatise on Canal Naviga- 
tion," 47, 50, 180, 304 
Trie, James, payment to, 189 

United States, 57 

Vanderlyn, John, portrait 

by, 113, 171 

Vandervoort, William, 242 
Van Wagenen, Gerrit H., 

250 
Villaret, Admiral, 94 
Virginia, springs of, 29 
Volney, Count, 83, 84, 89; 

Fulton's experiment in 

presence of, 125 

Washington, George, Fulton 
sends treatise to, 50; writes 
to Fulton, 50, 308; Fulton's 
letter to, 306; Fulton's let- 
ter of 1797 to, 309 
Washington, town of, 29 
Washington County, 29 
Watt, James, his engine, 31, 



72, 163; meeting of Robert 
Fulton and, 42; Boulton &, 
126 

Wayne, General, 18 

West, Benjamin, 9; Presi- 
dent of Royal Academy, 9, 
30; early art, 10; mother 
of, 11; paints tavern signs, 
22; uncle of David Morris, 
30 ; letter to, 31 ; considera- 
tion of artists, 34; friend- 
ship with Fulton, 34 ; Ful- 
ton leaves plates with, 173 

West, Edward, experiments 
of, 110 

White's Directory of Phila- 
delphia, 26 

Wilson, Judge John Q., 246 

Wilson, Richard, 226 

Wiswall, Captain Samuel, 
253; book of, 269 

Wood, James, Fulton bought 
knives and forks from, 224 

Zantzinger, Paul, 18 



367 



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